The pressure is mounting on Phil Salt at Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The English opener's difficult run continued with a first-ball dismissal against Rajasthan Royals, falling to his international teammate Jofra Archer. This early setback helped set the tone for a Royals victory and has intensified the debate about his place at the top of the order.

Salt's numbers make for concerning reading. In three innings for RCB this season, he has managed just 54 runs, with 46 coming in a single knock. This patchy form follows a T20 World Cup where he averaged a modest 16.25. For a franchise with championship aspirations, such inconsistency at the top is a significant worry.

RCB's loyalty is understandable, given history. Last season, Salt and Virat Kohli forged a devastating partnership, piling on 565 runs together at a blistering strike rate of 174.3, a key factor in their title run. That proven chemistry is a powerful argument for patience.

However, sitting on the bench is a player whose recent form is impossible to ignore: Jacob Bethell. The 22-year-old Englishman, who has seen limited action for RCB in the past, enters this tournament on a spectacular high. After a slow start to the English summer, Bethell exploded, scoring international centuries in all three formats. His crowning achievement was a magnificent hundred against India in the T20 World Cup semi-final, proving he can perform on the biggest stage.

While RCB also has Jordan Cox as batting cover, Bethell's explosive recent pedigree makes him the most compelling candidate for a change. The franchise faces a quick turnaround before their next match against Mumbai Indians, which may buy Salt one more opportunity. But in the high-stakes environment of franchise cricket, time is a luxury, and Salt will know he needs a substantial score, and soon, to quiet the growing calls for Bethell's inclusion.