3 reasons why RCB should stick with Venkatesh Iyer as opener for IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 vs GT 

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to clash against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026. The contest will be played on Tuesday, May 26, in Dharamsala.

While RCB’s lineup is fairly settled, a debate has been going around over whether the team should open with Venkatesh Iyer or Phil Salt alongside Virat Kohli. The English cricketer suffered a finger injury to his left hand against Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 18. He then flew back to England for assessment but has now joined the franchise and was seen in the dugout during the side’s last league game against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).

In Salt’s absence, his countryman Jacob Bethell opened in seven innings but failed to deliver, scoring 96 runs in total. He was later also ruled out due to a finger injury, with Venkatesh Iyer stepping in as opener in the final league game, where he impressed with 44 off 19 balls and has performed decently in the limited opportunities he has got this season.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the match, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar was asked about Salt’s availability, to which he said (via Cricbuzz):

“Salt is fit. He is under observation from the doctor. He has been participating in a few drills, but we haven’t decided on our playing XI yet. We will look at the wicket and decide.”

With Salt likely to be available but Iyer in impressive form, here we look at three reasons why RCB should stick with the southpaw as opener for IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 vs GT.

#1 In-form Venkatesh Iyer edges Phil Salt against GT with strong recent form

Venkatesh Iyer has impressed in the five games he has played this season. The southpaw has amassed 158 runs in four innings at an average of 79.00 and a strike rate of 177.52, including a fifty, with his best of an unbeaten 73 coming against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala, the same venue for the upcoming clash against GT.

On the other hand, Phil Salt enjoyed a decent run in the first six games he played, scoring 202 runs at an average of 33.66 and a strike rate of 168.33, including two fifties. However, given that the right-hander has not played a single game in over a month, it may not be ideal to throw him straight against GT’s in-form pace attack, featuring the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, both of whom have been excellent with the new ball.

Considering Iyer’s impressive run at the moment alongside Salt’s lack of game time, it would be ideal for Royal Challengers to back the in-form batter rather than rely on past performances.

#2 Dominant playoff record

Another factor working in Venkatesh Iyer’s favour is his brilliant record in IPL playoff games. Before joining RCB ahead of the 2026 season, the 31-year-old represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2021 to 2025.

In his debut season, KKR finished in the top four and defeated RCB in the Eliminator and DC in Qualifier 2 before losing the final to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs. Opening the batting in those three knockout games, Iyer scored 131 runs at an average of 43.66 and a strike rate of 127.18, including two fifties.

Meanwhile, in the 2024 edition, KKR once again reached the playoffs and defeated SRH in both Qualifier 1 and the final to lift the title, with Iyer smashing fifties in both matches (51* off 28 and 52* off 26 balls).

Overall, in IPL playoffs, Iyer has scored 234 runs in five innings at an average of 78.00 and a strike rate of 149.04, including four fifties.

#3 Two 50+ partnerships with Virat Kohli in as many innings

If RCB continue with Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer at the top, it would give the side the advantage of a left-hand right-hand combination, which could help negate the threat posed by Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada in the powerplay.

Moreover, the duo have looked impressive together this season. Against PBKS, when Iyer batted at No. 4 for RCB, he and Kohli stitched together a 60-run stand off 35 balls for the third wicket. Meanwhile, against SRH, the pair added another 60-run partnership while opening the innings, this time off just 27 balls.

Their partnership has looked well-balanced, with both batters complementing each other effectively and making a strong case to continue opening together against GT.