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'I've got tremendous amount of respect for Virat': Phil Salt opens up on prospect of opening the innings with Kohli for RCB

Engand wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt was one of the vital cogs in the wheel for KKR who stormed into the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Sports Tak

• Wed • 27 Nov 2024

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli (L) ducks as wicketkeeper Phil Salt fields the ball during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 29, 2024.

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt

Highlights:

Phil Salt has 3 T20I centuries.

Salt was KKR's trump card in IPL 2024.

Salt is RCB's most expensive batter in IPL 2025 mega auction.

Part to Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024-winning squad, Phil Salt was roped in by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for Rs 11.50 crore, their second-most expensive buy in the mega auction. KKR engaged in a bidding war for Salt but they had to back out with RCB having the last laugh. RCB head coach Andy Flower has already confirmed that Salt will open the innings with Virat Kohli. The wicketkeeper-batter is excited to walk on the field alongside IPL's leading run-scorer.

"I've got a tremendous amount of respect for Virat," Salt told ESPNCricinfo. "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 is an explosive batter who scored at a strike rate of 182.90 in the previous edition playing a vital role in KKR's qualfication for playoffs. He will look to emulate the likes of Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers who have tormented bowlers in RCB jersey. While RCB are yet to win their maiden IPL, Salt recalled turning on the TV just to watch them in action.

"They've got a very clear way of playing the game which is to go out and attack," Salt said. "They've always had the fiery personalities and their batting line-ups have been world-class.

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"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."

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Salt praises Bethell

Alongside Salt, RCB picked two more English players in their side -- Liam Livingstone and all-rounder Jacob Bethell. Salt lauded 21-year-old Bethell who has been exceptional in T20I cricket so far.

"He's very committed, and there's not many people out there that have the skill that he's got," Salt said of Bethell. "Hopefully, he does well in his Test debut coming up."