Calm Head On Shoulders, Best Hitter Of Spin: Phil Salt On What Makes Rajat Patidar Brilliant Captain

Phil Salt, one of the new signings by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, was all praise for the new captain of the side, Rajat Patidar, after his side ended a 17-year drought of wins at Chepauk, when they beat the Chennai Super Kings at their home by whopping 50 runs on March 28 (Friday). 

Speaking about Patidar as captain, Salt, in the post-match press conference said, “Brilliant captaincy. Obviously, to take the initiative with the new ball is one thing, but to not take the foot of the gas and drive it home….and you know there was not one period of the game when we let the pressure off the opposition, so you have to tip your hat off to the bowlers and Rajat for doing that.

“I think he is brilliant in all areas, if I am being honest,” added the man who scored 32 off 16 balls to set the game up early on. 

Talking about Patidar’s batting, especially against spin, Salt noted, “He is right up there with the best around. I have not seen anybody hit spin the way he can. Especially, some of those slower balls that he hit for six were unbelievable.”

Salt, who himself has led many teams, including the England senior men’s team on occasions, was appreciative of Patidar’s approach to the game where he doesn’t let the opposition breathe easily at any moment.

“When it comes to his captaincy, then he has got a cool head, very calm under pressure, and he’s got a cricket brain that thinks very deeply about the game. Like I already said, the way he spun (rotated) the bowlers around tonight, not letting the pressure off the opposition, there’s not much you can ask for,” said the 28-year-old Salt, who was ecstatic with his team winning two in two at the start of the season.