Former RCB captain Faf du Plessis, who will not be a part of IPL 2026, picked four foreign players for RCB’s playing XI in 2026. They sidelined English youngster Jacob Bethell, who looked in some great touch during the T20 World Cup earlier this month.
RCB will not have much dilemma at their overseas venues. Except for the selection of the opening pair, where they will have to choose between last season’s star Phil Salt and in-form batsman Jacob Bethel. The form of England’s team Salt has declined significantly in the ICC T20 World Cup.
Faf du Plessis picks Phil Salt over England’s World Cup hero Jacob Bethell
Former South African batsman Faf du Plessis advised RCB to stick to the overseas combination of England opener Phil Salt, Romario Shepherd, Tim David and Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. All of them were part of the playing eleven in the last season of 2024.
“I would go with Salt because last year they had a combination with Virat and Salt. Salt has played explosive innings of 50 off 20 balls, trying to score as many runs as possible. So, I think they will go with him.”
“Bethel, what he did that night was an unbelievable innings in that World Cup semi-final. I would keep Salt, Hazlewood, David and Shepherd as overseas options in the playing XI,” du Plessis told ESPN Cricinfo.
However, they ignored English batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who was the leading run-scorer for England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. They also sidelined bowling options like Nuwan Thushara and Jacob Duffy.
Former RCB captain supports Josh Hazlewood’s return in IPL 2026
Although the former RCB captain said that Josh Hazlewood will be an important part of RCB’s playing eleven, but he also considered his fitness as a matter of major concern for RCB. According to recent reports, his availability is already under uncertainty as he is currently recovering from multiple setbacks.
Du Plessis said, “I don’t think Hazlewood will play every match for them. At one time he was being talked about for the World Cup. So, you would imagine that after six months his body will be in much better condition.” He also said that he will not play all the matches for RCB.
Faf du Plessis said, “When he was there, even when I was playing, we had effective bowling attacks, and when you take him out, he leaves such a big hole because he gets you wickets in the powerplay, he comes back and he is excellent in the death overs. I think a lot of the team’s success goes along with Hazlewood’s availability.”
Faf credits Krunal Pandya for RCB’s first IPL win
South African batting great Faf du Plessis, who led RCB during the three seasons since IPL 2022, was unhappy about not being a perfect finger spinner during his stint with the franchise. He credited the RCB management for selecting all-rounder spinner Krunal Pandya.
“For a long time, Chinnaswamy has been a very difficult home ground. In all the years I was there, you couldn’t try to plan around home conditions. It’s very different all the time, and it’s very conducive to batting.
“The only difference I’ve picked up is that you need a quality finger spinner, which I wish we had in our time. I remember we were trying to trade a left-arm spinner; there are only three or four in the IPL who are tried and proven,” Du Plessis said.
Although RCB had Yuzvendra Chahal, the most successful IPL spinner for many seasons, they still could not manage to win the title. On the other hand, RCB will start their campaign in IPL 2026 against SRH on March 28.
Also Read: “There were some minor concerns regarding fitness”: MI head coach gives big update on Rohit Sharma’s participation in IPL 2026
