With the blockbuster Indian Premier League 2026 grand finale between RCB and GT right around the corner, the biggest talking point in the build-up has been the availability of explosive RCB opener Phil Salt.
Will Phil Salt feature in GT vs RCB IPL 2026 final?
Following a dominant victory over GT in Qualifier 1, RCB are entering the match as the favorites to lift the trophy. However, the Shubman Gill-led side will enjoy a distinct home-ground advantage and are expected to leave no stone unturned in their bid to overpower RCB. With both teams desperate for glory, it is a perfectly balanced contest where each side has an equal opportunity to claim their second IPL title.
ALSO READ: The Final Frontier: Decoding Virat Kohli’s bittersweet relationship with IPL finals
Team doctors are looking at Phil Salt: Rajat Patidar
In a massive boost for the franchise, Salt has resumed his training sessions and was seen actively participating in team drills. While RCB captain Rajat Patidar confirmed to reporters that Salt is fully fit for the encounter, he noted that the final opening combination will only be decided after a thorough analysis of the pitch conditions.
“Phil Salt is with the side, doing some drills. Team doctors are looking at him. We will see the pitch and decide our opening combination,” Patidar said at the pre-match press conference.
Notably, Salt sustained a finger injury while fielding during a match against Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 18. Due to the severity of the issue, he returned to the United Kingdom to undergo further medical scans and begin his recovery process.
Salt's impressive run in IPL 2026 before injury
The explosive batsman rejoined the RCB squad towards the business end of the league stage. However, the management chose to ease him back into the setup, and he did not feature in any of the team's recent matches.
Following Salt's departure, RCB initially turned to Jacob Bethell to fill the opening slot, but he struggled to make an impact in the league before being ruled out of the tournament entirely with a finger injury of his own. In a tactical shift, Venkatesh Iyer was then promoted to open the innings in the subsequent games and has done a fabulous job in the role.
Despite his injury layoff, Salt's overall contributions this season remain highly impressive. In the six games he played, he smashed 202 runs, including two half-centuries, frequently providing the explosive, flying starts that set the tone for RCB's batting innings.