Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending champions, have been in promising form and have managed to win four of their six games in this edition of the competition. Despite their promising performances, some gaps have been found in their lineup.
Phil Salt, the England opener who was out of touch before the start of the IPL, was also unable to perform in the ICC T20 World Cup. However, coming into this competition, he overperformed on many occasions and scored useful runs for the Royal Challengers.
This game would be considered a very crucial game for Royal Challengers Bengaluru after Delhi Capitals broke their winning streak at home this season in the last game.
Why isn’t Phil Salt playing today’s match against GT?
Phil Salt has been playing for the Royal Challengers since last season and has scored many runs at the top of the order. Playing for RCB, Salt also scored 202 runs this season and also scored runs at a strike rate of 168.33.
Therefore, he has not been removed from the side, but has been snubbed from the team due to an injury he suffered during the net session. Jacob Bethell, the England left-hander, has been included in the XI and will play his first match this season.
Phil Salt has so far accumulated 1258 runs in 40 matches and has averaged 34 in the IPL with an average of 174.48 in the history of the IPL. After a 6-game run this season, he was benched for Jacob Bethell, who amassed 67 runs last season, with a half-century as well.
Breakdown of RCB’s XI vs GT
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have named Jacob Bethell in the Challengers’ impact secondary line-up in their upcoming match against the Gujarat Titans. Apart from this, the rest of the XI is as before.
Virat Kohli is not being used as an impact player and is back on the field. He will get a new opening partner in Devdutt Padikkal or Jacob Bethell after Phil Salt is sidelined. Rajat Patidar, the captain, and Tim David add firepower and form in the middle order.
Lastly, they have the same bowling lineup that has proven immensely successful for them with the three pacers and two spinners, who have left no stone unturned. RCB is yet to give youngster Mangesh Yadav a chance to play in any game.
Why is the RCB vs GT game so essential from RCB’s point of view?
The RCB vs GT match is a crucial one for the defending champions as their winning streak at Chinnaswamy was snapped in the last match. This match against GT is RCB’s last match at their home base.
After this match, all matches will be played at one away venue and the second home venue in Raipur, as announced earlier by the BCCI. Therefore, RCB would have no more advantages at home if they lose the match against GT.
Phil Salt’s absence will be felt in the top-flight but the duo of Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell could do wonders in RCB’s final home game of the season.
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