SRH vs RCB, IPL 2026: As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gear up for their last league match of IPL 2026, they have received a major boost ahead of the playoffs. Explosive England opener Phil Salt has rejoined the squad, having recovered from the injury after returning to the United Kingdom to heed to the same.
SRH vs RCB, IPL 2026: Is Phil Salt playing in the match against the SunRisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium?
The 28-year-old had sustained a finger injury during the clash against the Delhi Capitals at the Chinnaswamy Stadium while fielding, rendering him unavailable for the matches thereafter. Hence, he flew home and was in massive doubt for RCB’s reminder of matches but Salt has rejoined the squad but not featuring in the game against the SunRisers despite being present at the ground. Nevertheless, the Englishman is expected to return to the XI for the playoffs.
🎶 𝘎𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰’𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘺’𝘴 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 a̶ ̶f̶r̶i̶e̶n̶d̶ 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦! 🎶
Good to have you back, Salty. ❤️🫂
Excited, 12th Man Army? 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nitZWai11G
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 22, 2026
He has slammed 202 runs in six games at 33.66 alongside a strike rate of 168.33.
SRH vs RCB, IPL 2026: Who won the toss between the SunRisers Hyderabad and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium?
The toss in Hyderabad went in SunRisers skipper Pat Cummins’ favour and he opted to bat first on what looks like an excellent surface to bat on. While the home side has triggered no changes, the Royal Challengers have triggered one of them, with Rajat Patidar replacing Jacob Bethell, who has a finger injury. If the Orange Army are to secure a Top 2 finish, they must defeat the Royal Challengers by 83-89 runs.
The Royal Challengers and the SunRisers will lock horns for the second time in the 2026 edition, having squared off in the tournament-opener at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Royal Challengers won the match comfortably despite stand-in captain Ishan Kishan’s explosive knock of 80. After Kishan’s whirlwind innings, Devdutt Padikkal (61) and Virat Kohli (69*) exploded to leave the Orange Army dazed as the RCB needed only 15.4 overs to hunt down the required 202 runs.
Nevertheless, with Pat Cummins back in the SunRisers’ ranks, they will back themselves to beat the defending champions as both sides target a Top 2 finish. The SunRisers qualified for the playoffs after gunning down the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by five wickets at the Chepauk. The Gujarat Titans have already secured a Top 2 finish.
