Why is Phil Salt not playing today’s DC vs RCB game?

Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi is set to host the massive IPL 2025 game between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The last time these two sides met was at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which DC went on to win by five wickets. KL Rahul scored 93 not out to help his side win the encounter.

Meanwhile, the RCB skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to bowl and revealed that Phil Salt wasn’t playing the game. The English wicketkeeper and batter wasn’t part of the RCB playing XI because he was down with illness. Jacob Bethell is set to make his IPL debut after warming the benches so far. Many fans had wanted to see Bethell play after the youngster had managed to impress everyone with his talents for his national side. 

For the home side, Faf du Plessis was back after missing the last few games due to injury. The former South African and RCB skipper had incidentally injured himself in the last game between these two sides at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Delhi Capitals are currently second in the table and a win on Sunday will take them to the top. 

Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal set to open?

With Phil Salt not being part of the game, RCB might give young Devdutt Padikkal the chance to open the batting. The left-handed batter has been in great form and is coming into the game on the back of two successive fifties. Jacob Bethell is expected to bat in the middle order with Rajat Patidar likely to bat at number three. 

Speaking at the toss, DC skipper Axar Patel said, “I think we would have batted only and used the wicket in the second innings. In the last game, there was no dew but in the game against Mumbai, there was some dew.” When asked who could be the impact player, Axar said that the decision will be taken during the game. 

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar said, “The wicket is quite good to bat on and I don't think it's going to change too much and we like to chase. It's our first win at our home and we will try to continue playing good cricket. In every match, we are trying to improve, so we want to keep learning.”