Phil Salt’s selection remains uncertain as he is still under observation. Ahead of Royal Challenger Bengaluru’s first match in the IPL 2026 play-offs against the Gujarat Titans, the defending champions will have to fix their playing combination.
The return of Phil Salt, who missed the multiple group stage matches after playing the first 6 games in the tournament, has put the franchise in a dilemma. His availability provides the team with a straightforward space to pick up a proper opener.
Who will be Virat Kohli's opening partner?
During the absence of Phil Salt, RCB tried to settle their opening pair with the Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell combination, but that did not work. Ahead of the play-offs, in their final group fixture against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bengaluru’s opening combination was formed with Virat and Venkatesh Iyer. Venkatesh Iyer played well as an opener.
For the Gujarat Titans match, who will open the innings alongside Virat, Venkatesh Iyer, or Phit Salt? That’s been the question ahead of the fixture. The winner of the RCB vs GT match will directly confirm their slot in the finals. So, it is obvious that the teams will name their best possible playing combinations by any means.
Rajat Patidar provides updates on Phil Salt
Ahead of the match, the Royal Challengers captain Rajat Patidar has revealed that opener Phil Salt is close to returning from injury ahead of Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans, but they have yet to make a final decision on him. Patidar confirmed that Salt has resumed training activities, but the team management may not make a decision about his selection in a hurry.
"Phil Salt is fit. He is under observation by the doctor. He has been participating in a few drills, but we haven’t decided on our playing eleven yet. We will look at the wicket and decide,” Rajat Patidar said at the pre-match press conference on Sunday.
Patidar emphasized that the presence of Venkatesh Iyer in their squad provides them with a much-needed balance and extra edge in defending the title. Patidar knows him from his young days and is well aware of the tough mentality of Venkatesh Iyer. Keeping the batting combination a secret, Patidar mentions that Iyer is capable of batting anywhere in the line-up.
“I have known Venky since childhood. He has a great attitude and is ready to bat anywhere in the order. He was a main player at KKR, but when he came here, he didn’t get a lot of chances in the beginning. He accepted that and ensured he was prepared when the chance came to cash in,” the skipper talked about Iyer, who played as an opener in their previous match.
Bowling is our strength: Patidar
Against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the RCB bowlers had a rough day. Even their best bowler in the season, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, had to go at a cost. However, the skipper explains that bowling is their main strength over the batting part.
“He is an experienced bowler. The last game didn't go the way we wanted, but bowling is our strength, and the way we bowl in the power play will be crucial. So we look for early wickets, and that is what we have done so far. That is what Bhuvi, Hazlewood, and Rasik are doing. So we hope that we continue the same process,” Patidar added.
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