The Wk-batter Phil Salt will be missing the T20I series of the West Indies Tour of England 2025 on paternity leave after completing the IPL 2025 campaign with RCB.

The 28-year-old flew back home after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s qualifier 01 victory against Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL 2025 finals.

Straight after the birth of his son, he flew back to India and landed in Ahmedabad in the early hours of Tuesday morning. He played a significant role in RCB’s first-ever title in 18 years.

It was Phil Salt’s second consecutive IPL title, after his role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ triumph last season.

Phil Salt was singled out for his commitment by Mo Bobat, RCB’s director of cricket, after the final, while his opening partner Virat kohli wrote on Instagram.

“Now go back to the real stuff and get ready for changing diapers.” Meanwhile Phil Salt said on RCB’s winning campaign, “It’s an unbelievable feeling right now. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t quite know where I am at the minute. I’ve not had the most sleep, but (I’m) so proud of the boys.”

Salt was available for the playoffs after being left him out of their ODI squad following a poor run of form earlier this year, including at Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

He was replaced by Jamie Smith who will now take his place in the T20I squad for the series against West Indies.

An ECB statement said that Salt was ‘granted permission to withdraw’ from the squad for the series.

“Salt, who is taking time away on paternity leave following the birth of his child earlier this week, will now spend time at home,” the statement added.

His withdrawal may create opportunity for Tom Banton during the T20I series after he was England’s spare batter throughout their 3-0 ODI clean sweep.

The first match of the T20I series will begin on June 06 at Riverside Ground.