In an exclusive interview with India Today, Kolkata Knight Riders batter Phil Salt opened up on life at his new franchise, while also talking about team mentor Gautam Gambhir. Salt was roped in by the two-time IPL champions as a replacement for opener Jason Roy, who left due to personal reasons. Speaking to India Today, Salt said Gambhir is a clear and committed person, while calling KKR a brilliant franchise. KKR will be taking on SunRisers Hyderabad in their IPL 2024 opener at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, March 23.
Salt went unsold in the IPL 2024 mini-auction, having been released by Delhi Capitals after IPL 2023. However, following Roy’s decision to skip the tournament, Salt was roped in for Rs 1.50 crore.
Here is the exclusive conversation with Salt:
Q. How are you feeling at this new franchise?
Salt: KKR is a brilliant franchise. Gautam Gambhir and Chandrakant Pandit have made it very clear about how we play, how we do everything.
Q: How is Gautam Gambhir as a mentor?
Salt: He is very clear. He is a very, very committed and passionate guy. We had fun last night with the teammates as well.
IPL 2024 Preview: Kolkata Knight Riders
Q: What else do you love except cricket?
Salt: Apart from cricket, I like golf. On off-days, I play golf.
Q: Have you heard about actor Shahrukh Khan, who also owns KKR?
Salt: I’ve heard of Shahrukh Khan before. He is a big star and I have heard of him. I have gone through OTT platforms for his movies.
Q: Do you think it is an advantage to play IPL before the T20 World Cup?
Salt: Before the T20 World Cup, it’s an advantage for us as this is the most famous cricket league in the world. We (England) also have some matches against Pakistan before the T20 World Cup.
Q. Who are the tough opponents in the IPL?
Salt: SKY (Suryakumar Yadav) is one of the toughest opponents to face, and the toughest bowlers are Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarty. I have faced them in our practice match. They have a lot of tricks.
Q: Do you think you will get a chance in the playing XI from the very first match of the season?
Salt: I don’t know whether I will play or not.
Sarah Wilson is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
