Why Phil Salt is not playing today's match vs GT in IPL 2026?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending champions, have been in promising form and have managed to win four of their six games in this edition of the competition. Despite promising performances, some loopholes have been found in their lineup.

Phil Salt, the English opener who was out of touch ahead of the start of the IPL, had failed to perform in the ICC T20 World Cup as well. However, coming into this competition, he outperformed on many occasions and scored handy runs for the Royal Challengers.

This game would be considered a very crucial game for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru after their winning streak at their home ground in this season was broken by the Delhi Capitals in the last game.

Why is Phil Salt not playing today's match against GT?

Phil Salt has been playing for the Royal Challengers since last season and has been scoring many runs at the top of the order. Playing for RCB, Salt has scored 202 runs in this season as well and has also scored runs with a strike rate of 168.33.

He has hence not been dropped from the side, but has been snubbed from the team owing to an injury he picked up during the net session. Jacob Bethell, the left-hander from England, has been drafted into the XI and will be playing his first match this season.

Phil Salt has so far amassed 1258 runs in 40 matches and has averaged 34 in the IPL while striking at 174.48 in the history of the IPL. After a 6-game streak this season, he has been benched for Jacob Bethell, who had amassed 67 runs in the last season, with a half-century as well.

RCB's Playing XI Breakdown vs GT

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have named Jacob Bethell in the impact sub lineup for the Challengers in their upcoming game against the Gujarat Titans. Other than this, the remainder of the XI are as before.

Virat Kohli is not being used as an impact player and is back on the field. He will get a new opening partner in either Devdutt Padikkal or Jacob Bethell after Phil Salt is being sidelined. Rajat Patidar, the skipper, and Tim David add firepower and form in the middle order.

Lastly, they have the same bowling lineup that has been immensely successful for them with the three pacers and two spinners, who have left no stone unturned. RCB has yet to hand Mangesh Yadav, the youngster, a chance to feature in any game.

Why is the RCB vs GT game so essential from RCB's point of view?

The RCB vs GT game is essential for the defending champions, as their winning streak at the Chinnaswamy has been interrupted in the last game. This game against GT is the final game for RCB at their home venue.

After this match, all matches will be played in an away venue and the second home venue of Raipur, which was announced earlier by the BCCI. Hence, for RCB, they would not have any further home advantages if they lose the game against GT.

Phil Salt's absence will be felt at the top order but Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell's duo might do wonders in RCB's final home game of the season.

ALSO READ: RCB vs GT Impact Players Today: Toss Report, Playing XIs, Latest Updates IPL 2026 Match 34