Overview
- Reports on Wednesday, citing ESPNcricinfo, said the England opener will return to India later this week, with his availability for Friday’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad still unclear.
- Salt injured a finger on his left hand trying to stop a boundary on April 18 against Delhi Capitals and then flew home to England for scans and recovery.
- RCB have clinched a playoff berth and lead the table with 18 points from 13 matches, leaving them well placed for next week’s Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala.
- Before the layoff, Salt scored 202 runs in six innings at a 168.33 strike rate, while stand‑in Jacob Bethell has 96 from seven, which has raised expectations Salt will reclaim the opener’s slot once cleared.
- Rajat Patidar is expected back for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Venkatesh Iyer’s unbeaten 73 against Punjab Kings gives Bengaluru another top‑order option as they set plans for the playoffs.