IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are on the brink of securing a playoff spot, needing just one more win to confirm their place in the next round. While their squad is generally well-balanced, there have been a few concerns in recent games.
Phil Salt has missed the last few matches due to a fever, and Josh Hazlewood was absent in the previous game due to a shoulder issue. Despite these setbacks, the team’s overseas players have performed reasonably well.
Jacob Bethell has stepped in and opened the innings with Virat Kohli in Salt’s absence. RCB now faces a tough decision: should they bring Salt back into the XI, or stick with Bethell?
Who should play between Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell?
RCB is fortunate to have two strong options in Salt and Bethell. With Salt available again, they must decide who to leave out for the rest of the tournament.
Bethell has performed decently in his opportunities, but Salt is the more proven batter with an aggressive game that suits the powerplay overs. Salt was also their first-choice opener before his illness, so it makes sense to back his strengths and stick with what worked earlier in the season.
Phil Salt’s IPL 2025 Performance
Phil Salt has played nine innings in IPL 2025, scoring 239 runs at an average of 26.55 and a strike rate of 168.30. Notably, he has two half-centuries to his name.
His most impressive numbers come in the power play. In the field restrictions, Salt has scored 212 runs at a strike rate of 175.20, with a balls-per-boundary ratio of 3.10. His explosive start puts pressure on bowlers early, allowing Virat Kohli to play a more measured game and build partnerships. Salt’s aggressive approach is vital for RCB, especially on pitches that tend to slow down.
Given these factors, RCB should bring Salt back into the XI as the tournament intensifies.
RCB’s Strongest Playing XI
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Impact Player: Suyash Sharma.
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