Royal Challengers Bengaluru face a crucial decision as opener Phil Salt has been sidelined since April 18 due to a finger injury. The explosive England wicketkeeper-batter has flown back to the UK for scans, leaving a gap at the top of the order alongside Virat Kohli.

According to reports, Salt damaged his left hand while diving to save a boundary during the defeat against Delhi Capitals. He has since missed multiple matches, with young Jacob Bethell stepping in as his replacement in the playing XI.

So far this IPL season, Salt has been in fine form, scoring 202 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 33.66 and a strike rate of 168.33, including a blistering 78 against Mumbai Indians. His absence is a significant blow for RCB's batting lineup.

Can RCB sign an injury replacement? Under IPL rules, franchises can bring in a replacement player until their 12th match of the season, provided medical verification and match referee approval are obtained. However, RCB are expected to wait for Salt's recovery before making any final decisions, as he has not yet been officially ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

For now, all eyes are on Salt's scan results and recovery timeline. If he is ruled out, RCB will have several options to consider, including experienced overseas batters or wicketkeepers who can slot into the top order. But with Bethell showing promise, the franchise may take a cautious approach before pulling the trigger on a replacement.