"It's high-risk, but it's also about putting the odds in your favour" - Salt on his aggressive approach

Thanks to Phil Salt’s 33-ball 68, Kolkata Knight Riders made light work of Delhi Capitals’ 154-run target in Match 47 of the Indian Premier League 2024 at Eden Gardens on April 29 (Monday). KKR registered their sixth win of the season and are now at No.2 on the point table.

Varun Chakaravarthy scalped three wickets in the first innings and restricted Delhi to a below-par total of 153. As expected, Salt came out all guns blazing and killed the game in the first six overs. By the end of the powerplay, the Knight Riders were 79 for no loss, with 60 of those runs coming from Salt’s bat. 

"It is high-risk at times, but it is also about putting the odds in your favour and not taking the risks you don't want to. That's the sort of balance that every opening batter tries to strike. Sometimes you can miss the boat a few innings in a row, but you just got to keep backing yourself and sort of taking those right options,” said Salt after the game.

The 27-year-old registered his fourth fifty of the season and put on an opening stand with Sunil Narine (10-ball 15). The two have been the most successful opening pair this season, having added 485 runs across nine innings at an average of 53.9. They have operated at a scoring rate of 12.43, which is also the second-highest for any opening duo (minimum five innings).

"We've dovetailed nicely this competition, (and) that's because if one of us gets going, then you feed the strike to that person. When I get going, he feeds me the strike, and vice-versa. It's good that we are on the same page like that.

"Off-field, we have a laugh generally. On-field, there's not too much. We normally do all the talking the day before. Sunil keeps it very simple, but he's a deep thinker of the game. With all his experience, he's really good to lean on. We normally just have a good time. He brings a lot of experience to the partnership."

KKR captain Shreyas Iyer also heaped heavy praise on Salt, who has hit 392 runs across nine innings at an average of 49 and a strike rate of 180.64. "Phil, he comes for the team meetings and also gives his inputs," said Iyer. 

"That guy is completely engrossed in the game. He wants to learn what's happening, and every time (he is) coming up and giving such kind of performances and brilliant starts. It's just pure bliss to see him coming and performing the way he has been."

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