Opener Phil Salt, who sustained a finger injury while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is set to return to India after a month-long recovery period back home. Salt, aged 29, injured his left hand finger during a match against Delhi Capitals on April 18 and flew back home for treatment and family time. According to ESPNCricinfo, there are doubts about his availability for RCB’s upcoming match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, considering the cautious approach towards his return.
RCB has already secured a spot in the playoffs in Salt’s absence and is on track to reach Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. Salt, known for his impactful performances at the top order, amassed 202 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 168.33 before his injury sidelined him. In his absence, Jacob Bethell has been partnering with Virat Kohli but has struggled to make a significant impact, accumulating only 96 runs in seven innings.
The pressure on Bethell’s position might increase even more if Salt is unable to play in the upcoming match, especially after Venkatesh Iyer’s impressive unbeaten 73-run performance in RCB’s recent victory over Punjab Kings. With regular skipper Rajat Patidar absent due to an injury, Iyer stepped up to contribute crucial runs for RCB, showcasing his value to the team.
