Former New Zealand batter Simon Doull believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru should keep faith with Venkatesh Iyer as the opening partner for Virat Kohli in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans, arguing that it is risky to expect Phil Salt to return and immediately deliver after his recent injury break. With the Qualifier deciding who becomes the first team to reach the final, Doull pointed to the value of current form over reputation—especially in a high-pressure playoff.
Qualifier 1 stakes and RCB’s opening debate
The IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 between RCB and GT will decide the first finalist of the season. Ahead of that do-or-die match, RCB face a selection question at the top: whether Phil Salt should resume opening and be trusted to perform right away after a prolonged layoff, or whether Venkatesh Iyer should continue in the role following a promising recent run.
- The tie is Qualifier 1, meaning the winner books a spot in the final.
- RCB are weighing whether to stick with Phil Salt as opener after injury downtime.
- Alternatively, RCB could keep Venkatesh at the top after his recent impact performances.
Injury updates affecting the squad
Doull’s comments also come amid RCB’s injury concerns. Jacob Bethell—who had been able to reach the 20-run mark only twice during Salt’s absence—has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury and has returned to England.
- Jacob Bethell has been eliminated from the IPL due to injury and has flown back to England.
- In Salt’s absence, Bethell crossed 20 runs only twice.
Doull’s case for Venkatesh alongside Kohli
Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Simon Doull said he would persist with Venkatesh Iyer opening with Virat Kohli. He stressed that Salt’s return—coming after three and a half weeks out, and with a finger injury—cannot be treated as a simple switch back into the starting XI.
- Doull’s preferred top order: Venkatesh Iyer opening alongside Virat Kohli.
- Phil Salt has been sidelined for three and a half weeks.
- Doull highlighted that returning after a long layoff, particularly with a finger injury, is “never easy”.
- He added that while Salt is a quality T20 player who has done well for RCB and England, match fitness and shot-timing take time to return.
- Doull argued that the playoffs are not the stage to experiment with that timing.
Form, rhythm and recent knocks
Doull pointed to Venkatesh’s recent batting displays, describing the rhythm he has built with Virat. He referenced Venkatesh’s quickfire 44 off 19 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad and an explosive half-century batting lower down the order against Punjab Kings.
- Venkatesh struck a 44 off 19 balls versus Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- He also produced an explosive half-century in the lower order against Punjab Kings.
- Doull said Venkatesh has a “solid rhythm” with Virat.
Doull acknowledged that Salt has a better partnership record with Kohli, but maintained that in cricket the side should back the batter in form—particularly in knockout cricket. He also flagged the main danger as bringing someone who has not been playing competitive matches for weeks.
- Salt may have a stronger partnership record with Kohli, but Doull prioritised current form.
- He said form matters more than reputation, especially in knockout games.
- Doull’s key concern: inserting a player who hasn’t had competitive cricket for weeks.
- His conclusion: keep Venkatesh at the top for this match.
- He also noted that Salt is “too good an option” to bench, but felt Venkatesh should retain his place right now.
IPL numbers supporting the decision
Doull backed his selection preference with Venkatesh’s IPL output in recent usage patterns. Across five IPL matches and four innings—spanning opening and middle-order roles—Venkatesh has scored 158 runs at an average of 79.00 with a strike rate of 177.52. His haul includes a half-century and a best score of 73*.
- Venkatesh Iyer: 158 runs in five IPL matches.
- Four innings across opening and middle-order roles.
- Average: 79.00; strike rate: 177.52.
- One half-century and a top score of 73*.
Doull further described how Venkatesh’s versatility has helped RCB. He can contribute as an Impact Player during a batting collapse, and he can stabilise the middle order by carrying forward momentum set by the top order while also helping set the tempo at the start.
- He has been effective as an Impact Player during batting collapses.
- In the middle order, he has helped maintain the momentum built by the top order.
- At the top, he has also set the tone for the innings.
To contrast, Doull highlighted Salt’s numbers when he has started at the top. In six innings opening, Salt has scored 202 runs at an average of 33.66, striking at over 168. His record includes two fifties, with a best score of 78.
- Phil Salt (opening): 202 runs in six innings.
- Average: 33.66; strike rate: over 168.
- Two fifties and a best score of 78.
