Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and England wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt are set to miss the IPL 2025 playoffs despite recovering from a recent fever. The 28-year-old cricketer, who was acquired in the auction for a whopping ₹11.5 crore, has been a key player for RCB this season. In the nine games he played before falling ill, Salt scored 239 runs at an impressive strike rate of 168.3. His two half-centuries while opening the innings, including a season-best 65 off 33 balls against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Salt had to sit out matches against the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) due to his illness, with Jacob Bethell filling in for him. However, he has now fully recovered and is ready to return to action. Despite his readiness, there are reports suggesting that Salt might fly back home to be present for the birth of his first child.
The absence of Salt could be a significant blow to RCB’s playoff hopes, as they are currently in second place on the table with 17 points from 12 games. The team will be aiming to secure a top-two finish to enhance their chances of winning the IPL trophy for the first time. To achieve this, they will need to win their remaining matches against SunRisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants.
In conclusion, Salt’s potential absence in the playoffs could impact RCB’s campaign, but the team will be hoping to make the most of their remaining games to secure a top-two finish and boost their chances of lifting the IPL trophy.
