Iyer Opens for RCB: Doull Backs Form Over Salt's Return

Simon Doull backs Venkatesh Iyer to open for RCB in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, citing form over Phil Salt's injury return. Learn more about the selection dilemma.

Simon Doull, a former New Zealand cricketer, has advocated for Venkatesh Iyer to retain his opening position for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 match. Doull cited Iyer's strong recent performances and form as the primary reason, suggesting that Phil Salt's immediate return after a significant finger injury layoff would be too risky for a high-stakes playoff game.

Doull highlighted Iyer's impressive statistics, including an average of 79.00 and a strike rate of 177.52 in his recent outings. He pointed out that while Salt possesses a strong partnership record with Virat Kohli, current form is paramount in knockout matches. The risk of playing a player returning from weeks of competitive inactivity was a key consideration in Doull's decision.

Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury and has returned to England. Salt has scored 202 runs in six innings this season, with two fifties, while Iyer has amassed 158 runs in four innings, including one half-century and a best score of 73 not out.

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