Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have played all their group stage matches of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The defending champions have already qualified for the playoffs. Ahead of the Qualifier 1 match against Gujarat Titans, there is some worrying news coming from the RCB camp as their opening batsman Jacob Bethel has been ruled out.
Having topped the table with 18 points and a better run rate than the other two teams (GT, SRH) who have also qualified with the same number of points. As per Sportskeeda report, Bethel will miss the playoff matches and will return to England. The English batsman suffered an injury to his left ring finger during the match against Punjab Kings.
Jacob Bethel out of IPL
The southpaw is set to return to England for assessment ahead of the Test series against the New Zealand national cricket team. Jacob Bethel, despite having a purple patch for the Three Lions in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, could not perform in the rich cash league. Despite getting the start, he failed to convert it into a goal.
Jacob Bethell, who replaced his injured English teammate Phil Salt, scored 96 runs in seven innings at a poor average of 13.71 and a strike rate of 124.68. He did not even play in RCB’s last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) after suffering a finger injury.
Who will replace Jacob Bethel?
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that “he will be fully assessed and monitored by the England men’s medical team upon his return to determine his availability for selection for the first Test against New Zealand at Rothesay.” The ECB said the agreement for Bethel’s return was in RCB’s contract.
Bethel could once again be replaced by Salt, who has rejoined the team after recovering from a finger injury suffered at the start of the season. The latter did not play the previous game against the Orange Army. If Salt is unable to play, then another English hard hitter Jordan Cox is in the team and can be included in the playing eleven.
Venkatesh Iyer was used as an opener, and he gave RCB a flying start in the last game and has been playing short, impactful innings for the defending champions. RCB is a team which does not make much changes from its side. So they can go with Venky Iyer instead of bringing in someone new.
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Many more to follow……
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