Jacob Bethell, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's top batter, will return to England after suffering a left finger injury in an IPL 2026 league match against Punjab Kings on May 17. He will not feature for the defending champions in the upcoming playoffs. Bethell played in seven games for RCB this season, scoring a total of 96 runs. An ECB release stated that Bethell will now be monitored by the England Men's medical team on his return to determine his availability for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's starting on June 4. Bethell missed RCB's last league stage game against SRH in Hyderabad due to this injury. Venkatesh Iyer was RCB's opening batsman in that match, and he made a big impression with a 19-ball 44. Phil Salt, who has returned to the team after missing a month due to a separate finger injury, may also be available for the playoffs. Though RCB lost the game in Hyderabad, they finished top of the points table to set up a Qualifier 1 clash against Gujarat Titans on May 26 in Dharamsala.