Internet Desk: RCB and Gujarat will face each other in the first qualifier of IPL 2026. Dharamshala will host the match to be held on May 26. By winning this you can directly reach the finals. With this, both the teams have intensified their plans to qualify for the title match with this match. In this background, former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Dowl has given a suggestion to the current champion RCB. He believes that Phil Salt, who has recovered from injury, should not be played as an opener in Qualifier-1. Venkatesh Iyer, who entered the ring as an opener in the last league match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, scored 44 runs in just 19 balls. Simon Doull suggested that he should be played as an opener in Qualifier-1 also.
క్వాలిఫయర్-1.. ఫైనల్లో తొలి అడుగు ఎవరిదో?
“Apart from Virat Kohli, I would pick Venkatesh Iyer as an opener. Phil Salt has been out of the team for three-and-a-half weeks. It is not easy to return to the match after a long break, especially after recovering from a finger injury. Salt is a quality player. Has played well in T20s for RCB and England. But, it takes time to get match fitness, shot-timing. The playoffs are not the right place to test it.” There is a strong partnership record with Virat, one should always choose the player who is in form, especially in the knockout matches, the biggest risk is to take the player who has not played competitive cricket for a few weeks. He also failed in the match against Punjab at number four. Scored 73 runs.