RCB retain Venkatesh Iyer as opener for IPL 2026 Qualifier 1; Simon Doull backs Indian batter over Phil Salt
मुख्य बातें
- •RCB named Venkatesh Iyer as opener alongside Virat Kohli for IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday
- •Simon Doull backed Iyer over Phil Salt, citing Salt’s three-and-a-half-week injury layoff and the need for match fitness in playoffs
- •Iyer has scored 158 runs in five matches at an average of 79.00 and strike rate of 177.52, including a 73 not out
- •Salt has played six innings at the top, scoring 202 runs at 33.66 average and strike rate above 168, but remains untested after injury
- •Qualifier 1 will decide the first finalist of IPL 2026
- •Jacob Bethell, who replaced Salt during his absence, has been ruled out and returned to England after failing to score 20+ runs twice
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have decided to stick with Venkatesh Iyer as their opening partner for Virat Kohli in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 clash against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday. The decision comes amid a selection dilemma at the top of the order, with England batter Phil Salt yet to regain full match fitness after a three-and-a-half-week absence due to a finger injury.
