Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been hit hard ahead of the IPL 2026 playoffs, with young batter Jacob Bethell being ruled out of the remainder of the tournament because of a left finger injury. Bethell picked up the injury during RCB’s league-stage clash against Punjab Kings on May 17.
The injury also forced Bethell to miss Bengaluru’s final league encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on Friday. Medical assessments later confirmed that he would not recover in time for the knockout stage. As per the ECB, Bethell is now set to return to England, where he will be assessed by the England men’s medical staff. The evaluation will determine whether he will be fit for the opening Test against New Zealand national cricket team at Lord's Cricket Ground, scheduled to begin on June 4.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board has agreed with Royal Challengers Bangalore that top-order batter Jacob Bethell will return to the UK after sustaining a left ring finger injury while playing in the Indian Premier League," the England and Wales Cricket Board stated.
“He will be fully assessed and monitored by the England men’s medical team on his return to determine his availability for selection for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.”
For RCB, Bethell featured in seven matches this season, accumulating 96 runs.