Why is Phil Salt not playing PBKS vs RCB clash of IPL 2026?
Phil Salt also missed RCB’s previous game in IPL 2026.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are facing Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a high-stakes encounter at the Indian Premier League 2026. The afternoon clash is taking place at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Sunday, May 17.
RCB take the top spot in the points table, and a victory against Punjab will help them qualify for the playoffs. On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer & Co. have lost five games in a row and need to defeat RCB to keep their playoffs hopes alive.
In match 61 of IPL 2026, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to field first. RCB opener Phil Salt is again absent from the playing XI. He last featured in the clash against the Delhi Capitals on April 18.
Why is Phil Salt missing the PBKS vs RCB clash?
Notably, Phil Salt sustained a finger injury while trying to save a boundary in his last game against the Delhi Capitals on April 18.
He returned to the United Kingdom (UK) for further scans and treatment of his injured finger. Multiple reports have claimed that he is still in the UK. RCB have also not provided any update on his fitness.
Earlier, Salt provided quickfire starts in a few games and also scored a half-century in his last appearance. Jacob Bethell has been retained as an opener once again alongside Virat Kohli in today’s clash. Bethell has struggled to make a mark with his performances so far.
Meanwhile, Salt has played six matches in IPL 2026, scoring two half-centuries. With 202 runs in six games at a strike rate of 168.33, he has done a decent job for RCB.
When did Phil Salt last play for RCB?
He last played in the clash against the Delhi Capitals on April 18.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.