Last season’s champion of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is considered a strong contender to win the title this year too. The league stage is over for RCB. The team finished the league stage in first place with 9 wins in 14 matches. Now RCB will play Qualifier-1 in the playoffs. However, before this match, RCB has suffered a big setback. Jacob Bethel has returned to England.

Jacob Bethel suffered an injury on his left hand finger during the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings. After medical examination, Jacob will return to England for further examination before the upcoming England Test series. The franchise wished Jacob Bethel all the best for his speedy recovery and his rehab.

Jacob Bethel played a total of seven matches in IPL 2026.

Let us tell you that Jacob Bethel was opening the innings for RCB when his compatriot Phil Salt was injured. When Phil Salt returned to England, Jacob Bethel was given a chance. In seven matches of IPL 2026, Bethel scored 163 runs at a strike rate of 140.52. Due to injury, Bethel did not play the last league match of RCB.

Complete schedule of IPL 2026 playoffs

The playoff matches of IPL 2026 will start from May 26. The first qualifier match will be played on 26 May in Dharamshala. After this, the eliminator match will be played in New Chandigarh on 27th May. Then the second qualifier match will be played on May 29 in New Chandigarh itself. The final match is to be held on 31st May at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

First Qualifier – 26 May – Dharamshala
Eliminator – 27th May – New Chandigarh
Second Qualifier – 29 May – New Chandigarh
Final – 31 May – Ahmedabad

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