Will Phil Salt Return For IPL Final? Latest RCB Injury Update Out
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru now stand one win away from making history in the IPL 2026 season. The defending champions play the final on 31st May at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and can become only the third team after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to retain an IPL title.
RCB booked their spot in the final after beating Gujarat Titans by a massive 92 runs in Qualifier 1 played at the HPCA stadium. It was a dominant all-round performance from Rajat Patidar's men with the bat and the ball. One question that is plaguing the team ahead of the final however is Will Phil Salt
The wicketkeeper-batter from England suffered a finger injury during an RCB Delhi Capitals game in April when Salt hurt his left hand trying to stop a boundary.
The wicketkeeper had to travel back to the United Kingdom to have scans and undergo surgery. He was out of action for nearly a month but is now back in the RCB camp ahead of the playoff games.
Phil Salt declared fit before the IPL final
Before Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans RCB skipper Rajat Patidar
had revealed that Salt was fit but was being assessed by the team doctors.
Patidar had said during the pre-match press conference :
"Salt is fit. He is under observation from 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."
Since rejoining the squad Salt has been seen training fully and looked at ease during practice. Latest reports confirm that he is physically fit and available for the IPL 2026 final. His aggressive batting at the top has proved to be one of RCB's most powerful weapons this season, with his ability to attack bowling during the powerplay on batting-friendly wickets like Ahmedabad potentially deciding games in an instant.
Why he was left out against the Gujarat Titans
Despite being fit before Qualifier 1 RCB did not risk bringing him into the squad, promoting Venkatesh Iyer to open the innings with Virat Kohli.
Venkatesh put on a stunning performance with a cameo innings of 19 runs from just 7 deliveries, setting the tone for the defending champions and providing the team with much-needed early momentum against Gujarat Titans.
RCB now faces a tough decision Do they include Salt in the squad to add power at the top and continue with their dominant top order or do they stick with the unchanged XI that completely dismantled Gujarat Titans? As of now Salt is fully fit and available to play, but the decision ultimately rests with the RCB team management based on the pitch conditions and team strategy for the IPL 2026 final.