Some performances in cricket are not just about the runs on the scoreboard—they can set the tone for an entire campaign. Phil Salt’s blistering 56 off 31 balls in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) emphatic seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was one such statement knock. It was fearless, methodical, and brimming with intent—a perfect template for how RCB will want to approach IPL 2025.
Walking out to chase 175 at the Eden Gardens, Salt wasted no time in making his presence felt. The first ball he faced—a wide half-volley from Vaibhav Arora—was cracked through cover for four. No sighters, no holding back. From that moment, there was only one thing on his mind: domination.
Salt’s onslaught in the powerplay was nothing short of devastating. In just 23 balls, he smashed 49 runs, taking RCB to 80/0—their second-highest powerplay score in IPL history. He wasn’t just swinging blindly; there was method to his aggression. Salt repeatedly hit straight, playing with a vertical bat rather than going across the line—a flaw that had cost the KKR batters earlier.
His familiarity with the Eden pitch, having played for KKR last season, was evident. He knew the conditions, and he knew Varun Chakravarthy’s variations all too well. When the mystery spinner was introduced in the fourth over, Salt took him apart, plundering 20 runs with a breathtaking combination of power and precision.
The numbers tell the story of Salt’s growing stature in the IPL. In run chases, he has been a proven match-winner. His record speaks for itself—10 innings, 435 runs, 5 fifties, an average of 48.33, and a stunning strike-rate of 175.40. His 56 against KKR was also his fifth 50-plus score in just eight IPL innings at the Eden Gardens—a ground where he clearly feels right at home.
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Even more impressively, Salt has now played for three different IPL teams, striking at 160-plus for each of them—a testament to his adaptability and consistency. His 56 against KKR also marked the highest score by an RCB debutant since Faf du Plessis’ 88 against Punjab Kings in 2022.
But beyond the stats, what stood out was Salt’s game awareness. With RCB comfortably ahead in the chase, he kept pushing the envelope, refusing to ease off. The result? By the time he departed, RCB were cruising at 95/1 in 8.3 overs, with the asking rate comfortably below seven. From there, Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar steered them home with ease.
RCB’s win wasn’t just about breaking their four-match losing streak against KKR or registering their first victory at Eden Gardens since 2019. It was about the intent they showed. Salt’s ferocity in the powerplay sent a clear message—this RCB team is here to dominate, not just compete.
And for Salt, this was yet another chapter in his Eden Gardens love story. The crowd in Kolkata has grown used to watching him tear bowling attacks apart—last season for KKR, this season against them. Different jersey, same fireworks.
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