Jacob Bethell to miss IPL playoffs due to finger injury

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's top-order batter Jacob Bethell will return to England after sustaining a left finger injury during the league game against Punjab Kings on May 17 in IPL 2026. He will not feature for the defending champions in the upcoming playoffs. Bethell played seven games for RCB this season, scoring 96 runs.

An ECB release confirmed Bethell will be monitored by the England Men's medical team upon his return to assess his availability for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, starting June 4.

Bethell missed RCB's final league stage game against SRH in Hyderabad due to the injury. In that match, RCB opened with Venkatesh Iyer, who made a significant impact with a 19-ball 44. For the playoffs, RCB may have Phil Salt available, who has returned to the squad after missing a month due to his own finger injury.

Despite losing in Hyderabad, RCB finished top of the points table and will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on May 26 in Dharamsala.