Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) shelled out INR 11.50 crore to acquire the services of explosive English wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Salt is expected to open the batting with the legendary Virat Kohli in the 18th edition of the IPL next year.
Having had successful stints for Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders in the past couple of years, Salt will be looking to go from strength to strength in RCB colours. After signing for the Bengaluru-based franchise, the 28-year-old said that he is looking forward to batting alongside Kohli in IPL 2025.
“I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for Virat. I’ve always had a bit of chat with him – and a laugh and a joke – when I’ve played against him in the past, so I’m looking forward to playing alongside him,” Salt told ESPNCricinfo.
Salt also praised the aggressive brand of cricket that RCB have played over the years. He recalled that RCB was one of the few teams he followed before he started his journey in the IPL.
“They’ve got a very clear way of playing the game which is to go out and attack. They’ve always had fiery personalities and their batting line-ups have been world-class. They’re one of a few teams who, when I was watching IPL years ago, if they were playing, I’d turn the TV on. Obviously they’ve got Andy there and Mo Bobat [as director of cricket], and I’m really looking forward to playing under them. Having been around them a little bit, I know that we’re quite similar thinkers on the game in some ways – and their track record speaks for itself,” Salt added.
The Bodelwyddan-born has played 21 IPL matches and scored 653 runs at an average of 34.37 and a strike rate of 175.54. Salt has six half-centuries to his name, including a highest score of 89. He will be looking to set IPL 2025 ablaze with his exquisite batting skills in IPL 2025.