IPL 2026 Trade News: Phil Salt to betray RCB? Report drops bombshell

Just two months after the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, where the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) earned their maiden title, reports on the trade news of the next season have started to spread. In a fresh update, it has been known that the opening batter of the champions, Phil Salt, could betray the franchise for the next season.

Reports have claimed that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have approached the wicket-keeper batter, who was in brutal form last season and contributed immensely to the ‘Play Bold’ franchise. Now it is a mutual deal where both sides need to agree upon Phil Salt’s departure. It will be a massive boost for the 2014 and 2012 champions if they can finalize the decision. On the flip side of the coin, it won't be a happy news for RCB. 

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The decision from the KKR management has come after the Bengaluru franchise showed interest in Venkatesh Iyer during the last mega auction. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder can bat in the middle order besides offering them a couple of overs with the ball if needed. In addition, RCB’s captain, Rajat Patidar, also influenced them on that route to add his domestic team member for the IPL 2025.

IPL 2026 Trade News: Phil Salt to betray RCB for KKR? - Report

Phil Salt, the aggressive England batter, is known for his fabulous attacking batting in the opening position, besides providing them with a wicket-keeping option. He was RCB’s second-leading run-getter of the last season with 403 runs in 13 innings at an average of 33.58 and a strike rate of 175.98, scoring four half-centuries at the best score of 65. Besides that, he is an electric wire in the field.

There was a point when Salt, who the franchise bought for INR 11.50 crore, expressed that his relationship with the star batter and former captain of the side, Virat Kohli, is not one of friendship, but it’s limited to being just a colleague. If Salt goes out of the Bengaluru side in 2026, then it will be a body blow for the franchise, which, then, will need to find a decent replacement at the top order to partner Kohli.

As of now, it has been informed that the deal isn’t happening because RCB no longer has any interest in adding Iyer to the side. They are extremely happy with Salt’s contribution and are eyeing to build a base around him on the side.