This was a timely reminder of his skillsets by the batter, who is expected to be in heavy demand in the upcoming IPL 2025 auction.
Released Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Phil Salt was at his threatening best during the opening game of the Abu Dhabi T10 League between Team Abu Dhabi and Ajman Bolts. He showed his true worth, showing why he is rated highly in world cricket.
Salt was the wicketkeeper-batter of KKR last season. He opened the innings today and wreaked havoc with the willow in an 80-run chase. His best came in the fifth over bowled by Gulbadin Naib, where he scored as many as 34 runs.
He started the over with two consecutive sixes to the deep midwicket region before hitting a boundary towards the long-on region. He wasn’t done yet, as Salt hit three successive maximums to cap off the over.
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Two of those sixes on the fourth and fifth delivery were hit towards the long-on region, and both balls were there to hit right into the slot. Finally, he hit one on the long-off region on the final delivery to take 34 from the over and put the opponent out of the game in a short run-chase, showing his ruthless side.
Coming to open the innings for Team Abu Dhabi, Phil Salt was in a mood from the first ball and took on the bowlers at will. He scored as many as 53 unbeaten runs in 19 deliveries, including two boundaries and six maximums, at a whopping strike rate of 278.95.
This was a timely reminder of his skillsets by Phil Salt, who is expected to be in heavy demand in the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. Last year, he was one of the top performers for Kolkata Knight Riders and played a crucial role in making them champions, even though he didn’t feature in the playoffs.
Salt scored 435 runs at an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 182 in 12 innings. He also hit as many as four fifties and formed a lethal opening partnership with Sunil Narine.
KKR had no choice but to leave him out ahead of the IPL 2025 auction to accommodate other quality options. Given he is a dynamic batter and also provides a wicketkeeping option, Salt will fetch a big sum this time.
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