Although the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are on a roll in IPL 2026 with a playoff spot already assured, there are huge question marks over the availability of Phil Salt for their remainder of matches. According to an unverified claim, Salt has not returned to India, as against the earlier reports and could even be ruled out of the ten-team tournament.
IPL 2026: What has happened to Phil Salt?
The England superstar, who played a critical role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) title victory in 2024 and for RCB last year, last featured in IPL 2026 against the Delhi Capitals at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Benglauru on April 18. Due to a finger injury, the right-handed batter has been rendered unavailable and recently returned to the United Kingdom to recuperate from the same. Due to Salt’s unavailability, Jacob Bethell has been given an opportunity but is yet to make a significant contribution. With the playoffs nearing, the defending champions may need the services of Salt.
Nevertheless, the RCB camp has kept mum on Salt’s availability status.
🚨Phil Salt still in UK & might miss IPL 2026.
– A UK based journalist hints about Phil Salt whereabouts. pic.twitter.com/wmUFioqZLe
— Fan RCBians (@RcbianOfficial) May 16, 2026
IPL 2026: Who will the Royal Challengers Bengaluru face in their next match?
Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers will next take on the Punjab Kings on May 17, Sunday at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in Dharamshala. While the Royal Challengers are almost assured of a spot in the playoffs, they will be confirmed as one of the four teams on Sunday should they beat the Punjab Kings. It was also in IPL 2025 final that the two teams last met in the tournament history, with the Royal Challengers outplaying Shreyas Iyer and co.
Nevertheless, Iyer-led Punjab Kings could miss out on reaching the playoffs this time around. Despite starting their season with six matches out of seven, Punjab Kings could fall out of favour as it has followed with five consecutive losses. Another defeat might push them even out of Top 4 and make it a steeper task to qualify for the playoffs. They face a stern test against the Royal Challengers, who are coming in with massive momentum, having beaten the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their final two matches.
