Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batsman Phil Salt has returned home to the UK for scans after injuring his left finger during a match against Delhi Capitals on 18 April. The injury occurred while he was attempting to stop a boundary in Bengaluru.
Salt, who is from England, played a key role in RCB’s first IPL title win in 2025, scoring 403 runs in 13 matches with an impressive strike rate of 175.98. This season, he has scored 202 runs in six games at a strike rate of 168.33 and hit two half-centuries.
His England teammate Jacob Bethell has now replaced him in the RCB team. Bethell has scored 39 runs in three innings so far.
RCB remains hopeful that Salt will recover in time to return later in May as the IPL season nears its end. The team is also considering signing a replacement if his injury proves to be long-term.
Salt, who was born in Wales, previously helped Kolkata Knight Riders win the IPL title in 2024 by scoring 435 runs in 12 matches. Overall, he has played 40 IPL games and scored 1258 runs at a strike rate of 174.47, with 12 half-centuries to his name.
Meanwhile, RCB are currently second in the IPL standings with 12 points from nine matches. They have won six and lost three games, including their last match against Gujarat Titans. Their next game is against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday.