Simon Doull backs Venkatesh Iyer over Phil Salt for RCB opener role

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull said he would continue with Venkatesh Iyer as opener alongside Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Tuesday, saying it would not be easy for England batter Phil Salt to return immediately after a long injury break.

Qualifier 1 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans will decide the first finalist of IPL 2026.

RCB are currently facing a selection debate over their opening pair, with the management needing to decide whether to bring back Salt after injury or continue with Venkatesh following his strong performances against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Jacob Bethell, who crossed the 20-run mark only twice during Salt’s absence, has been ruled out of the tournament because of injury and has returned to England.

Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Doull said, "I would stick with Venkatesh Iyer as the opener alongside Virat Kohli. Phil Salt has been out for three and a half weeks. Coming back from a long layoff, especially with a finger injury, is never easy. He is a quality player and has done well for RCB and England in T20s, but match fitness and shot-timing take time to return. The playoffs are not the place to test that," he said.

Doull also referred to Venkatesh’s 19-ball 44 against SRH and his half-century against Punjab Kings, saying the batter had built a good rhythm with Kohli.

"Yes, Salt has a stronger partnership record with Virat, but in cricket, you always go with the player in form. Form matters more than reputation, especially in knockout games. The biggest risk is bringing in someone who hasn't played competitive cricket for weeks. I would continue with Venkatesh at the top. Phil Salt is too good an option to have on the bench, but right now, Venkatesh deserves to keep his place," he signed off.

In five IPL matches and four innings across opening and middle-order roles, Venkatesh has scored 158 runs at an average of 79.00 and a strike rate of 177.52, including one half-century and a best score of 73 not out.

Salt, meanwhile, has made 202 runs in six innings at the top of the order at an average of 33.66 and a strike rate above 168, with two fifties and a highest score of 78.

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