Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will need to keep persisting with Jacob Bethell if Phil Salt is not available for selection. Bethell has failed to grab his opportunity in the absence of his compatriot, scoring 39 runs in three matches at an average of 13 and a strike rate of 150.

RCB has won six out of their nine matches in the ongoing season and they have ticked most of the right boxes in the ongoing season.

“I was trying to read, but I couldn’t find whether Salt is available or not. If Salt is available, play him. If he isn’t available, you will have to go with Bethell. You don’t have any other option available,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra reckons RCB might also think about out-of-form Romario Shepherd but backs Jitesh Sharma to retain his form.

“So that is the only change I am envisaging. Apart from that, you can think about what you need to do with Romario Shepherd. Jitesh Sharma should come in form. That is the only box that hasn’t been ticked,” Chopra observed.

If RCB goes on to beat LSG on Thursday, they will replace Sunrisers Hyderabad from the numero uno position in the points table.

“You still have a couple of games in hand because the team that has played the most has already played 11 matches. That is the SunRisers Hyderabad. You are at No. 3 at the moment, but you can straightaway jump to No. 1 with 14 points and a better net run rate,” he said.

The former Delhi cricketer added that the reigning champions will need to be at their best while playing away against LSG.

“All those things can happen. Just hit the ground running again because your home games have finished now. Raipur, and then even the finals are not at the Bengaluru Stadium. That is a separate issue,” Chopra observed.

RCB had earlier beaten LSG by five wickets in the ongoing season.