Is Phil Salt ruled out of IPL 2026? Injury update, return date as RCB star flies back to England

Is Phil Salt ruled out of IPL 2026? Injury update, return date as RCB star flies back to England originally appeared on Cricket News . Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Phil Salt has not featured in IPL 2026 since the April 18 match against Delhi Capitals. The England star is reported to have suffered a finger injury and has now flown back to the United Kingdom (UK). In his absence, Jacob Bethell has taken over the opening duties alongside Virat Kohli.

Cricket News provides the latest on Salt's injury update and possible return date as RCB remain favourites to secure a playoff spot. Why is Phil Salt not playing IPL 2026 matches for RCB? Royal Challengers Bengaluru opening batter Phil Salt has missed IPL 2026 matches since the April 18 match against Delhi Capitals at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The exact reason for his absence was initially unclear but the latest ESPNcricinfo reported that he has returned to the UK for scans on his finger injury. The report added that Salt had "damaged a finger on his left hand while diving to save a boundary at deep backward square leg in the sixth over of the second innings during their defeat at home to the Delhi Capitals on April 18. " What happened to Phil Salt, why he went back to the UK, and when he could return 📝 pic.