Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener Phil Salt has returned to England to undergo detailed scans after sustaining a finger injury last month, raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the ongoing IPL season.

The injury has already ruled Salt out of RCB’s last three matches, during which fellow England player Jacob Bethell has stepped in as a replacement at the top of the batting order. Bethell has been filling the opening slot in Salt’s absence as the team looks to maintain its strong position in the tournament.

The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is believed to have injured his left hand while attempting a diving stop near the boundary during RCB’s clash against Delhi Capitals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18. While fielding at deep backward square leg, Salt landed awkwardly, resulting in damage to a finger that has since required further medical evaluation.

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According to a report, Salt—who is centrally contracted with the England and Wales Cricket Board—returned home at the request of England’s team management. The decision was taken to ensure proper assessment and treatment of the injury, especially with international commitments ahead.

Both the player and the RCB management remain optimistic about his recovery timeline. Early indications suggest that the injury may not be severe, and there is hope that Salt could re-join the squad in India later this month, depending on the scan results and rehabilitation progress.

Before the injury setback, Salt had been in excellent form, providing explosive starts at the top of the order. He scored 202 runs in six innings, maintaining a remarkable strike rate of 168.33, making him one of the standout performers for RCB in the early stages of the tournament.

Meanwhile, RCB continue to perform strongly in the league and are currently placed second on the points table, just behind Punjab Kings. The team will next face Lucknow Super Giants in an important fixture scheduled for Thursday, as they aim to solidify their position heading into the latter stages of the competition.