Phil Salt Returns Home for Finger Scan, Jacob Bethell to Get More Chances for RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been dealt a blow as their star opener Phil Salt has gone back to the UK for a scan on his injured finger. He has missed the last three matches for the team.

Salt hurt his left finger while diving to stop a boundary during the match against Delhi Capitals on April 18. He was trying to save a boundary at deep backward square leg. Before the injury, Salt was in great touch. He had scored 202 runs in six innings with a strike rate of 168.33.

The team has not said much about the nature of the injury. But we understand that England’s cricket board asked him to come back home for scans since he has a central contract. Both RCB and Salt are hopeful that he will heal quickly and come back to India this month. RCB are the defending champions and want to keep their title.

With Salt out, Jacob Bethell has started opening the batting with Virat Kohli. He was on the bench at the start of the season. Now he has played three games and scored 39 runs. He is yet to make a big score, but this is a good chance for him to show his skill. Jordan Cox is also available as backup.

RCB have a six-day break between games. The players went to the Maldives for a short rest after their last loss to Gujarat Titans. Their next match is against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday night.

If Salt’s injury is very serious and he cannot play for the rest of the season, RCB can bring in a replacement. But for now, they want to give him full time to heal.

This injury came at a bad time for Salt. He was enjoying his cricket at RCB under coach Andy Flower and mentor Dinesh Karthik. He had found his rhythm after a poor T20 World Cup with England. Now he will hope to return soon and help RCB defend their trophy.

                                               

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