RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 Final: Phil Salt set to Play for RCB Today? Salt returns from London, Check Latest Update

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's preparations for the IPL 2025 Final were overshadowed on Monday (June 2) by the conspicuous absence of opener Phil Salt from the team's training session at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Salt, a vital cog in RCB's top order alongside Virat Kohli, has been instrumental in their campaign. However, his unavailability at the final practice has sparked widespread speculation, with fans anxiously questioning whether he will feature in the summit clash against Punjab Kings.

According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, Salt was believed to have flown back home to be with his partner for the birth of their first child - a development that, if confirmed, would rule him out of the final.

Neither RCB head coach Andy Flower nor stand-in skipper Rajat Patidar have commented on Salt's status. The silence is not surprising, given both the gravity of the fixture and Flower's history of tactical secrecy. The former England coach is known for psychological ploys - including involving injured players in warm-ups to mask their unavailability.

Salt's absence from the final training session has only strengthened the belief that he may not be in Ahmedabad at all. While the franchise remains tight-lipped, signs increasingly suggest that RCB could be forced to line up without their in-form English opener.

IPL 2025 Final: Phil Salt returns to India, will be playing in the Final

Phil Salt has returned from London and has landed in Ahmedabad on Tuesday morning (June 3). The RCB star flew to England after the Qualifier 1 win for the birth of his child but now has returned back to India. He will be available for RCB in the final today against the Punjab Kings. According to ESPNCricinfo, the Englishman returned to Ahmedabad in the early hours today and is now ready for the championship clash.

Salt won the IPL last season with Kolkata Knight Riders, but incidentally, was not part of the KKR squad in the playoffs due to national duty. But for RCB, it seems no problem for the hard-hitting wicketkeeper batter, as he looks set to play.