Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar has revealed that Phil Salt has almost attained full fitness and he would be in contention for selection for the first qualifier against Gujarat Titans at Dharamshala on Tuesday.

Salt had suffered a finger injury earlier in the season, which had kept him out of action. His compatriot, Jacob Bethell had replaced him in RCB’s playing XI, but the left-hander failed to leave a mark. Bethell also suffered a finger injury and was ruled out of the entire season. Venkatesh Iyer had opened in the last game against SRH with Virat Kohli.

“Salt is fit. He is under observation from the doctor. He has been participating in a few drills but we haven’t decided on our playing eleven yet. We will look at the wicket and decide,” Rajat Patidar said during the pre-match press conference (via Cricbuzz).

Before suffering a finger injury while fielding, Salt scored 202 runs in six matches for the defending champions at an average of 33.66 and strike rate of 168.33 in the ongoing season.

Speaking ahead of the all-important qualifier, Patidar said it would be imperative for them to hold their nerves and be confident in their execution against GT.

“Both the teams are doing pretty well, done pretty well throughout the season. The one thing on the given day who will execute their plan better, who will play better cricket, who will be calm under pressure, I think that team will win the match. I think both the teams are equally good. We have to be calm under pressure. Of course, it is a big stage, Qualifier 1. We have to hold our nerves and be confident in whatever we are doing,” Patidar added.

RCB will take on GT in the first qualifier at Dharamshala on Tuesday.