Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have suffered a major setback in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) as their star overseas player Phil Salt has returned home after suffering a finger injury. Salt hasn’t played a single game since April 18 and his return his uncertain for the remainder of the tournament.
As per a report by ESPNCrinfo, centrally-contracted player Salt was requested by England’s team management to come back home for scans. It is not clear whether he will return or get ruled out of the tournament.
The injury is not just a setback for RCB but Salt as well. After a poor run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, he had regained form. In last three games, he had scored two half-centuries. From six innings this season, he had scored 202 runs at an average of 33.66 and strike rate of 168.33.
Bethell to continue opening with Kohli?
In Salt’s absence, Jacob Bethell has played three games in the season. Following a maiden T20 century in losing cause in T20 World Cup semifinal against India, the Englishman is yet to make an impact. He has registered scores of 14, 20 and 5 this season. He is likely to continue open the innings with Virat Kohli.
If not Bethell, then who will open?
RCB's next match is against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 7 at Ekana Cricket Stadium. Bethell is likely to play the game. However, if RCB look for a change in the upcoming matches, they can either have Devdutt Padikkal open or hand IPL debut to Jordan Cox. The English wicketkeeper-batter was roped in for his base price of Rs 75 lakh in the mini-auction.
Jordan Cox’s T20 statistics
Cox's previous T20 game was for England Lions and Pakistan Shaheens where he scored 75 runs from 37 balls in the successful run chase. Overall, Cox has played 4,045 runs from 178 T20 games at an average of 30.64 and strike rate of 140.15. He has a century and 21 fifties to his name in the format.