England opener Phil Salt is expected to return to India later this week after spending nearly a month out of the IPL due to a finger injury. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter injured a finger in his left hand while trying to save a boundary during the match against Delhi Capitals on April 18. Salt, known in the circuit as “Waterloo,” was unavailable since then and had gone home to heal and be around his family.

RCB did not miss a beat without him and they have continued their good run as they have already qualified for the playoffs. Unless a huge Net Run Rate adjustment comes into play, the team is also on the verge of sealing their spot in Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala. It remains to be seen whether Salt, who is unlikely to be rushed back into action ahead of the knockout stages, plays a part in Friday’s league-stage showdown against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

While Salt was away, England teammate Jacob Bethell partnered with Virat Kohli at the top of the order. Bethell, meanwhile, has battled for runs with just 96 in seven innings at a highest score of 27. He might face competition for his spot in the playing XI after Venkatesh Iyer shone with an unbeaten 73 during RCB’s comfortable win over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.

Iyer replaced RCB captain Rajat Patidar in the XI, who sat out the match after suffering a blow on the helmet by a sharp Kartik Tyagi delivery during his first innings in RCB’s previous game against Kolkata Knight Riders. Stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma subsequently assured Patidar was fine and will be back for the Hyderabad clash that could leave RCB with some excruciating team selection dilemmas ahead of the playoffs.