The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auction saw a few record-breaking bids when Australia skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were picked for a record-breaking price. But England’s wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt who had scored a century against West Indies a couple of days ago was surprisingly not picked up by any of the 10 franchises. Left confused after the IPL auction, Salt went on to slam another century as England posted the second-highest T20I total.
"It was a confusing morning. I expected to be picked up, having gone there last year and done well and after the year that I've had, but these things happen," Salt told the reporters after smashing 119 off just 57 balls.
In the previous edition’s auction, Salt was picked up for Rs 2 crore by Delhi Capitals (DC). But DC had a poor season and Salt got off to a good start before showing his true colours. He scored 218 runs from nine matches at an average of 27.25 including two half-centuries. He scored at a strike rate of 163.91. As a result, Salt was released by DC. They were bidding aggressively for Colin Munro who could not make an impact last season but ignored Salt. But the 27-year-old was happy that his teammates were picked in the auction.
"It's part of the lottery of an auction, it happens in draft processes as well. There's a few lads in our dressing room who are going to have a very good Christmas and I'm over the moon for them," Salt said.
"I was a bit confused but it can happen. There's no bad cricketers on the list at the IPL. It's one of those things," he added.
Salt admitted that it was in the back of his mind when he went out to bat at Brian Lara Stadium. His 57-ball 119 was laced with seven furs and 10 sixes. He was dismissed in the penultimate over by Andre Russell.
"It was probably a little bit of it, subconsciously. I'm very aware of how lucky I am to be here playing cricket. I'm playing good cricket, I'm doing what I came out here to do. More importantly than that, the boys have really pulled together and shown what a good team we are. The West Indies are a very good side that we're playing against so to win back-to-back games and force the decider in a couple of days' time, I'm chuffed," he further added.
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