Phil Salt Shines in IPL 2024, Leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the Top

The 45-ball 87 that Delhi Capitals scored against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ferozeshah Kotla last year was essentially a promo for Phil Salt's first IPL game. The England T20I opener has revealed the whole picture this season, enabling Kolkata Knight Riders to crush rivals and take the lead in the points standings.

With four half-centuries at an average of 42.90 and a strike rate of 183.33, the 27-year-old has amassed 429 runs thus far in the IPL. He and Sunil Narine have given the Knights flying starts in every game.

Having grown up in Barbados and Wales, Salt has been significantly more reliable for KKR this season than he was for the Capitals in 2023. "It's just the growth as a player, I think," Salt responded to a question about any changes to his strategy or style in an interview with The Telegraph.

"I want to improve and understand more about my game. I don't think anyone has entered the IPL and succeeded right away. It's one of those things that really comes down to player development. I simply want to maintain my current mentality of contributing in a way that wins matches."

Most international players find it difficult to adapt to Indian surfaces and circumstances, particularly those from England who appear to be plagued by persistent issues with spin. However, salt has adjusted more successfully to current IPL season.

"I've visited India a few times before, not just to play but also for training. I feel like the conversations would be a little different if it were red-ball cricket, so the conditions here are not foreign to me," he continued.

"But it's not spinning too much, touchwood."

Salt did concede, though, that England's performance in the IPL and that of the other players, particularly Jos Buttler, bodes well for them heading into the T20 World Cup. "But to defend our title, the key is to get off to a good start," he said.

All set for the red ball

There hasn't been a Test debut yet, and Salt isn't entirely sure what 'Bazball' means. However, he thinks he will be "a natural fit" if a Test opportunity arises.

"You refer to it as Bazball, but I'm not really sure what it means. What I do know is that the Test team is playing in a very aggressive manner, trying to exert pressure on their opponents while also occasionally taking it. They are playing incredibly well, which is something I have always done in my first-class career (52 matches): they are aggressive, upbeat, and play intelligently.

"I think I'll fit in perfectly. "Hopefully, I get the chance," Salt stated, referring to his first-class cricket strike rate of 71.96.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.