RCB Face Setback as Phil Salt Likely to Miss IPL 2025 Playoffs for Child’s Birth - Report 

There is unsettling news coming for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans. The franchise is staring at a potential crisis as their wicketkeeper-batter, Phil Salt, might miss the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) playoff matches. 

The right-handed opener has been an important figure in the RCB line-up, forming crucial partnerships alongside Virat Kohli. Though, he had to miss the previous few matches against Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) due to a high fever, he is available for the remaining league games.

Meanwhile, RCB have already qualified for the playoffs with two matches remaining. RCB will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 23 in Lucknow and will look to increase their chances of ending the league stage in the top two. 

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Phil Salt Could Skip IPL 2025 Playoffs for Family Time

As per ESPNcricinfo, Phil Salt is expecting a baby with his girlfriend Abi McLaven, a personal milestone that could see him miss IPL 2025 playoffs to be with his family. 

Abi is a freelance virtual assistant, who does social media marketing, content strategy and business consulting. Salt and Abi have been dating each other since 2020.

While no official word has come from the RCB camp, the news has spread like a wildfire among the fans.

Notably, Salt has racked up 239 runs in nine innings this season with a strike-rate close to 170. His fearless approach at the top has given RCB explosive starts, often putting opposition bowlers on the back foot.

Who will Replace Phil Salt If He Misses IPL 2025 Playoffs?

As Salt missed RCB’s last two fixtures due to a fever, Jacob Bethell replaced him in the playing 11. As Bethell also will not be available for the playoffs due to international duties, RCB signed Tim Seifert as his replacement.

Like Salt, Seifert is also known for his explosiveness and can open the innings. RCB also have another explosive option in Liam Livingstone but he bats in the middle-order.

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