Why is Phil Salt not playing RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Final?

Phil Salt has played six games for RCB in IPL 2026.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are clashing with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final of the Indian Premier League 2026. The encounter is taking place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Both RCB and Gujarat Titans finished in the top two spots in the points table with 18 points each. RCB defeated GT in Qualifier 1 to become the first finalist of IPL 2026. Later, the Titans outplayed Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to reach the summit clash.

In the IPL 2026 final, RCB have won the toss and opted to field first. Notably, Phil Salt is not part of RCB‘s playing XI in the encounter. He also missed the Qualifier 1 against GT.

Why is Phil Salt missing the RCB vs GT IPL 2026 final?

Notably, RCB have retained the opening combination of Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli for the IPL 2026 final. They have not made any changes to their opening pair. Phil Salt has recovered from his finger injury and also participated in fielding drills, but was rested once again.

Salt last played in the clash against the Delhi Capitals on April 18. He injured his finger while fielding at the boundary during the clash. Later, he returned to the United Kingdom for further scans and recovery of his injury. After the recovery, he returned to India and re-joined the RCB camp.

RCB earlier used Jacob Bethell as an opener alongside Kohli; however, he flopped with his batting. After Bethell sustained a finger injury, Iyer was promoted as an opener. Iyer has done a decent job in the top order; hence, RCB have retained him in the final.

Meanwhile, Salt played six games for RCB, scoring 202 runs with two half-centuries at a strike rate of 168.33.

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