On December 19, cricket enthusiasts witnessed a day of contrasting events, marked by historical IPL auction feats in Dubai and England opener Phil Salt’s T20 brilliance in Trinidad. Despite an impressive T20I century, Salt found himself unexpectedly unsold in the IPL auction, a situation he described as “confusing.”
Salt, who had been picked by Delhi Capitals in the previous auction, contributing significantly with 218 runs in 9 matches, expressed surprise at not being retained. Despite entering this year’s auction with a base price of INR 1.50 Crore, he faced an unforeseen snub. The auction dynamics favored other overseas keeper-batters, leaving Salt on the sidelines.
In Trinidad, Salt responded emphatically with a whirlwind 119 off 57 balls, propelling England to a series-levelling win against West Indies. Reflecting on his auction fate, Salt acknowledged the unpredictable nature of such events, emphasizing the quality of all players in the IPL list.
The confusion surrounding the auction didn’t hinder Salt’s on-field prowess, as he attributed part of his sensational knock to the subconscious impact of recent events. Salt’s back-to-back centuries in West Indies showcased his six-hitting prowess, specifically honed over the off-side.
“I’ve worked specifically on hitting sixes over the off-side. I’ve always been good at hitting the sight screen and going over the leg-side. That’s an area I’ve been working on for a good while so it’s good to see it’s working,” said Salt, emphasizing his strategic approach to enhance his six-hitting skills.
Despite the IPL auction disappointment, Salt’s T20 excellence in Trinidad reaffirms his cricketing prowess and determination to make an impact on the international stage.
