Kolkata Knight Riders had a memorable previous edition, earning their third-ever IPL title after a massive gap of ten years. With an optimum mix of reliable players and a robust coaching staff, the team bet all the odds and claimed success. But, their retained list had several polar opinions from critics and fanatics, as they haven't retained the captain who led to their triumph.

With their retention list comprising of emerging and experienced campaigners, they haven't opted for having the Right-to-Match (RTM) option as they have filled all the spots so that it will be some new players venturing into the defending champions' side. That said, here are the potential five-player picks that the Knight Riders would go all out for in the forthcoming 2025 IPL Mega Auction. 

Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis could be one of the primary targets for the Men in Purple management, as he ticks the boxes of an experienced power batter and a reliable captain. Considering that the side only has INR 51 Crore left in their purse, they can give their all to buy him, as they can rely on his captaincy expertise.

With just three editions for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he has taken them twice to the final stages of the playoffs; the side can rest assured in giving him the captaincy position for the upcoming editions. In the last edition, he has made 438 runs in 15 matches at a decent average of over 30.

Ishan Kishan

The Kolkata Knight Riders will not change their powerful hitting lineup for IPL 2025. They can, however, target young Indian wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan, who has been freed by the Mumbai Indians, keeping in mind that the team also requires a reliable wicketkeeper. Kishan is known for his aggressive batting and power-hitting ability.

Kishan could be an excellent addition to KKR's star-studded batting lineup, which includes Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh. Kishan has recently been uneven with the bat, but recent matches in the local arena have helped to boost the confidence of all franchises in the Mega Auction. In 2024, he made 320 runs in 14 games, averaging at 23. 

Mohammed Shami

The Kolkata Knight Riders will now want to add an experienced fast bowler to their team for the IPL 2025. In the IPL 2025 mega auction, they might want to sign experienced Indian bowler Mohammed Shami. The right-arm bowler is now recovering from a knee injury sustained during his outstanding 2023 Cricket World Cup performance, in which he took an incredible number of wickets in just a few games.

Surprisingly, he has been released by the Gujarat Titans. The KKR management is expected to spend a large sum on him at the mega auction in Jeddah since he has played an essential role in whichever squad he has been a member of in his cricketing environment. Also, with several other franchises putting all their efforts into his acquisition, he could probably be one of the most expensive players in the upcoming mega auction.

Also Read: IPL 2025: 5 players Royal Challengers Bengaluru should target for in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction

Phil Salt

Phil Salt excelled in the top order for KKR in the IPL 2024. His aggressive hitting style might help the squad get off to a fast start. In this case, KKR wants to return him to the team for another season. Phil Salt was pivotal to KKR's successful season last year, scoring 435 runs at an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 182 in 12 innings, including four fifties.

Despite his excellent performance, KKR dismissed him due to a surplus of players. On the other hand, Salt is an aggressive top-order batsman who maintains wickets and has league experience. Given his achievements, the three-time champions would go all and out for bringing him back to the side, even with the unavailability of an RTM card. 

Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi symbolises a solid IPL-batter package, thanks to his aggressive approach in obtaining crucial runs. He has consistently performed for any team he has ever represented, frequently stepping up when the squad needed him the most.

His ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed makes him essential. Tripathi's IPL experience and ability to score crucial runs make him a solid pick for any club. His retention would offer the squad stability and a player around whom to build tactics. In his 2024 stay, he scored 165 runs in just six matches, with a remarkable strike rate above 140. 

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title spectacularly, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Among the many celebrations, one stood out a video call to England and KKR opener Phil Salt, who played a pivotal role in the team’s success before leaving for international duty.

Phil Salt’s Role in KKR’s Success

Salt’s performance was nothing short of sensational. His highest score of 89* came at a crucial juncture, showcasing his ability to handle pressure. His four half-centuries were all scored at Eden Gardens, where he enjoyed a prolific run, scoring 358 runs in seven matches at an average of 58.33 and a strike rate of 185.19.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: Australia’s key players set to miss warm-up matches

KKR’s Journey to the Title

KKR’s journey to their third IPL title was marked by resilience and strategic brilliance. Under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, the team showed remarkable consistency and fighting spirit. Key victories against top teams and a solid performance in the playoffs highlighted their campaign.

The Final Match Recap

In the final, SRH won the toss and elected to bat. However, KKR’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc and Andre Russell, dismantled the SRH batting lineup, restricting them to a modest 113 runs. In response, KKR chased down the target in just 10.3 overs, with Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz shining with the bat.

Phil Salt’s Video Call Celebration

As soon as KKR secured the title, the first video call was made to Phil Salt, who was back home preparing for a T20I series against Pakistan. The joyous interaction was shared on KKR’s official social media, showing Salt’s excitement and his teammates’ appreciation for his contributions.

Phil Salt and Sunil Narine: The Dynamic Opening Pair

The opening partnership between Phil Salt and Sunil Narine was a game-changer for KKR. Their complementary styles—Salt’s aggressive batting and Narine’s steady hand—created a formidable opening duo that often put KKR in commanding positions right from the start.

Salt’s journey in IPL 2024 was a story of redemption. Unsold in the previous auction, he was brought in as a replacement for Jason Roy. Salt seized the opportunity, turning his fortunes around and becoming a key player for KKR.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to recall its players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) just before the playoffs, citing the upcoming T20 World Cup as the primary reason.

Importance of T20 World Cup Preparation

With the T20 World Cup looming, the ECB emphasizes the importance of preparing its players for the global tournament. To ensure adequate preparation and cohesion within the squad, ECB has scheduled a home series against Pakistan, starting from May 22.

See Also: England announce 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Focus on the Home Series Against Pakistan

In line with this strategy, the ECB has mandated that players selected for the T20 World Cup squad must be available for the Pakistan series, necessitating their withdrawal from the IPL. This decision underscores ECB’s commitment to fielding a competitive and well-prepared team for the World Cup.

ECB’s Announcement and its Implications

The official announcement from the ECB confirms the return of selected players from the IPL in time for the Pakistan series. This announcement clarifies the board’s stance and ensures transparency regarding player availability and commitments leading to the T20 World Cup.

“Selected players, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return in time for the series against Pakistan, which gets underway at Headingley on Wednesday 22 May 2024,” ECB said in the release published on its official website.

Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders

The decision to recall England players from the IPL playoffs will significantly impact teams like Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Key players such as Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, integral to their respective teams’ batting lineups, will be unavailable for crucial matches.

Additionally, players like Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, and Liam Livingstone, representing teams like Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings, will depart from the IPL. While their absence may not directly affect playoff standings, it diminishes the strength and depth of their respective teams.

England’s T20 World Cup bound players with different IPL teams

Jos Buttler – Rajasthan Royals

Moeen Ali – Chennai Super Kings

Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone – Punjab Kings

Reece Topley, Will Jacks – Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Phil Salt – Kolkata Knight Riders

Phil Salt has been a standout performer in IPL 2024, amassing an impressive 392 runs at a strike rate of 180.64, including four half-centuries. His latest fifty, scored against Delhi Capitals, is particularly noteworthy since it was this team that released him after just one season due to his inconsistent performance. However, what seemed like a questionable move by DC has turned into a significant advantage for Kolkata Knight Riders.

KKR’s decision to sign Salt was somewhat fortuitous, coming as a result of Jason Roy withdrawing from the tournament. Salt seized this opportunity to revive his IPL career, proving to be an exceptional addition to the team. Opting to play Salt over Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who had participated in 11 matches for KKR the previous season, has proved to be a wise decision. Salt’s dynamic opening partnerships with Sunil Narine have been instrumental in KKR’s strong positioning on the points table, underscoring his vital role in the team’s success this season.

See Also: IPL 2024: Player Analysis: How did Varun Chakaravarthy shine at Eden Gardens despite the odds?

Phil Salt’s Performance Against Pace in IPL 2024

Phil Salt’s formidable prowess against fast bowling has been a significant factor in his IPL 2024 success. He leads the charts in scoring against pacers, racking up 337 runs at an average of 56.17 and a remarkable strike rate of 189.3. This performance places him ahead of most players, with only Travis Head and Dinesh Karthik surpassing his combined average and strike rate against fast bowlers.

In the powerplay, Salt’s aggressive approach continues to pay dividends. He boasts a strike rate of 183.3 in this phase of the game, ranking him fourth among players who have scored at least 30 runs, only trailing behind Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head. Salt’s effectiveness can be attributed to his skill in handling fast deliveries on length and short length, where he strikes at 150 and 206, respectively.

This ability to dominate quick bowlers in specific areas has not only bolstered his own performance but has also consistently provided KKR with rapid starts, making him a crucial asset at the top of the order. Phil Salt’s exceptional performance against pacers is significantly more impressive when compared to other batters in the IPL. While the average strike rate for other batters against deliveries bowled on a good length is 129, and 164 for shorter deliveries, Salt outshines them considerably.

His superior strike rates in these challenging areas highlight his ability to effectively handle pace, giving him and his team a distinct advantage in matches. This prowess could also be particularly advantageous for Salt during England’s upcoming cricket schedule in the West Indies, where conditions often favor fast bowling. Salt’s recent history of scoring back-to-back centuries against the West Indies just before the IPL auction in December 2023 showcases his capability in such conditions, though surprisingly, it wasn’t enough to attract immediate bids during the auction.

However, the turn of events that led to his signing with KKR, following Jason Roy’s withdrawal, has not only revitalized his IPL career but could potentially act as a springboard for securing a more permanent opening slot with the England cricket team. His ongoing success in the IPL may well cement his reputation and open more doors internationally, particularly if he continues to excel against fast bowling in challenging conditions.

In a thrilling match of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stormed to a dominant 7-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals (DC), showcasing a remarkable comeback after their previous setback and solidifying their second-place position on the leaderboard.

Phil Salt and Sunil Narine become the ultimate game changer of the match 

Chasing a modest target of 154 runs set by Delhi, Kolkata’s openers, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, set the stage on fire with a blazing 79-run partnership in just 6 overs, putting their team in a commanding position early in the game.

Although Narine’s departure caused a brief hiccup, Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer ensured a smooth finish for KKR, guiding their team to victory with ease. Delhi’s bowlers, especially Lizaad Williams in the initial overs, struggled to contain the aggressive KKR batsmen, allowing them to dictate terms.

Their partnership, characterized by one player taking charge while the other rotates the strike, played a crucial role in KKR’s victory.

On the other hand, Delhi’s batting faltered right from the start as they failed to find momentum. Losing crucial wickets in the Powerplay, they struggled to capitalize on promising starts. While players like Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Abishek Porel showed glimpses of potential, only Kuldeep Yadav’s resilient knock of 35 runs offered any significant resistance.

Varun Chakaravarthy shows brilliance in the bowling unit 

KKR’s bowling unit, led by Varun Chakaravarthy’s three-wicket haul, put the brakes on Delhi’s batting line-up, with Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana also making valuable contributions with two wickets each.

Phil Salt, the hero of KKR’s chase, expressed his delight at contributing to the team’s success in the IPL. He credited the bowlers for their stellar performance and praised the team’s ability to bounce back from their previous defeat. Salt highlighted the team’s aggressive approach at the top of the order, stating that while it involves risks, it often pays off in their favor. He also emphasized the importance of his experience as a wicketkeeper, which helped him assess the conditions and enhance his batting performance.

See Also: IPL 2024: Phil Salt gives explosive start to KKR against DC

With this win, KKR secured their sixth victory of the season, further solidifying their position as the second-best team in the IPL standings.

In the electrifying 47th match of IPL 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced off against Delhi Capitals (DC) in a thrilling encounter. Batting first, DC set a challenging target of 154 runs for KKR. However, it was KKR’s explosive chase, led by the dynamic innings of Phil Salt, that stole the show.

Phil Salt’s Heroics

Again, Phil Salt showcased his batting prowess with a scintillating performance against DC’s bowlers. In a display of power-hitting, Salt notched up another blistering fifty in just 26 balls, treating the audience to a spectacle of boundaries and sixes.

See Also: Jofra Archer set to be included in T20 World Cup squad for England: Reports

Despite DC’s efforts to contain KKR’s onslaught, Rasikh Salam and Williams faced the brunt of Salt’s assault. Rasikh’s slower deliveries and Williams’ variations failed to stem the flow of runs, as Salt easily dispatched the ball to the boundary.

The momentum shifted in KKR’s favour as Salt unleashed a flurry of boundaries and sixes, demonstrating his precise ability to find the gaps. His aggressive stroke play left DC’s bowlers reeling, with Salt’s innings proving to be the cornerstone of KKR’s chase. Philip Salt scored 68(33) [4s-7 6s-5].

Axar’s Crucial Wickets

Axar Patel gave DC a glimmer of hope with his crucial wickets, including Salt’s. Axar’s deceptive bowling and Salt’s dismissal momentarily halted KKR’s charge. However, Salt had already left an indelible mark on the match with his explosive innings.

Statistical Insights

Phil Salt’s remarkable innings etched his name in the IPL record books. With his exceptional performance, Salt surpassed previous records for the most sixes in the powerplay and became the highest-scoring KKR batter within the powerplay.

Most sixes in powerplay in IPL 2024
19 – Abhishek Sharma
16 – Travis Head
16 – Jake Fraser-McGurk
15 – Phil Salt*

Phil Salt at Eden Gardens in IPL
Inns: 6
Runs: 344
Avg: 68.8
SR: 186.95
HS: 89*
50+: 4

Most runs by a KKR batter within powerplay
60 – Phil Salt vs DC, Kolkata, today*
54 – Sunil Narine vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2017
52 – Sunil Narine vs DC, Vizag, 2024
51 – Brendon McCullum vs CSK, Centurion, 2009

English batter Phil Salt showcased his power-hitting prowess in Kolkata Knight Riders’ ongoing IPL 2024 clash against Punjab Kings, smashing a blistering fifty.

Phil Salt’s Fifty and Dismissal

Phil Salt reached the fifty-run mark in just 25 deliveries, exhibiting aggressive batting against Punjab Kings’ bowling attack. However, his innings ended when Punjab’s stand-in captain, Sam Curran, clean bowled him with a toe-crushing yorker during the 13th over of KKR’s innings.

See Also: IPL 2024: Another blistering start from Narine-Salt against PBKS

Curran’s Remarkable Comeback

Sam Curran’s over started poorly, with Phil Salt hammering him for two successive sixes. However, Curran made a remarkable comeback, delivering a perfect yorker to uproot Salt’s off stump. Despite Salt’s aggressive response, Curran’s precise bowling effectively dismissed the dangerous batter. Philip Salt b Sam Curran 75(37) [4s-6 6s-6]

Salt’s Reaction to Dismissal

After getting out, Phil Salt expressed disappointment by slamming his head angrily while returning to the dugout. His frustration was evident, reflecting his desire to capitalize on the solid start he provided to KKR’s innings.

Records Set by Salt in IPL 2024

Phil Salt achieved a significant milestone in IPL 2024 by scoring 500 runs in the fewest balls among foreign batters. His feat places him among the elite in IPL history and highlights his impact as a dynamic opener for KKR.

Least balls taken to 500 runs in IPL by Foreign batters

260 – Glenn Maxwell
284 – Travis Head
294 – Andre Russell
297 – Phil Salt*
298 – Henrich Klaasen

Salt’s explosive innings and Sunil Narine’s contribution provided KKR with a dream start to their innings. Their aggressive batting set the tone for a formidable total, laying a solid foundation for the middle order to build upon.

KKR’s Highest Total in IPL 2024

Riding on scintillating knocks from Salt and Narine, KKR registered their highest Indian Premier League total in Kolkata during the IPL 2024 match against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens. The impressive batting display showcased KKR’s dominance in the game. PBKS need 262 to win the match in 20 overs.

In a thrilling IPL showdown, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered a heart-wrenching one-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) despite valiant efforts from Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar. The match, held in Kolkata on Sunday, showcased a gripping battle between bat and ball.

Jacks blazed through the pitch, smashing a dynamic half-century, scoring 55 runs off just 32 balls with an impressive display of power hitting. Patidar, too, joined the onslaught, contributing a quickfire 52 runs from just 23 deliveries, including a flurry of boundaries and sixes. However, their heroic efforts fell short as RCB failed to chase down KKR’s imposing target of 223 runs.

Andre Russell plays on point 

Even with a sensational last-over blitz from Karn Sharma, who scored 20 runs off just 7 balls, RCB could only muster a total of 221 all out. KKR’s bowlers, led by Andre Russell with three crucial wickets, along with Sunil Narine and Harshit Rana, proved to be formidable adversaries for the visiting team.

Smallest margin of win for KKR in IPL:
1 run vs RCB at Eden Gardens in 2024
2 runs vs RCB at Sharjah in 2014
2 runs vs PBKS at Abu Dhabi in 2020

Phil Salt creates a mark with his batting 

In the first innings, KKR’s batsmen set the tone with a commanding performance. Opener Phil Salt provided an explosive start, smashing 48 runs off a mere 16 balls, while skipper Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with a composed half-century, scoring 50 runs off 36 deliveries. Contributions from Ramandeep Singh and Andre Russell propelled KKR’s total to a challenging 222/6.

Despite a commendable effort from RCB’s Cameron Green, who claimed two wickets conceding 35 runs, KKR managed to set a daunting target for their opponents. The match was marked by several key moments, including Salt’s aggressive start, Narine’s dismissal, and Iyer’s crucial fifty. However, it was RCB’s narrow miss in the chase that stole the spotlight, as they fell agonizingly short of KKR’s total, ultimately losing by a solitary run.

See Also: Virat Kohli reacts after dismissal, becomes victim of controversial umpiring, DRS

With this thrilling victory, KKR celebrated a hard-fought win, while RCB was left to rue their missed opportunity in a closely contested encounter.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Phil Salt played exceptionally well against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bowling lineup in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Phil Salt, who came to open the innings, took on the bowling attack of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru from the beginning and smashed some quality shots as well. However, Phil Salt’s best came in the 4th over of the game when he hit Lockie Ferguson for 28 runs as well.

Phil Salt started the over with a massive six where Lockie Ferguson bowled a short ball and the batter hit it over deep square leg for a maximum. On the next ball, he got the inside edge and the ball went past the leg-stump, getting 10 runs off the two balls as well.

On the third ball, Phil Salt played a stunning shot as he hit the length ball that was wide of off-stump. He used the bounce and then hit it over cover-point. Later, he slammed six on the 4th ball of Lockie Ferguson’s over as well. Phil Salt then got forward to a short ball by Lockie Ferguson and then hit it over mid-off. However, he finished the over on high as he had two boundaries on the last two balls as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

Phil Salt fell short of a well-deserved half-century

While, on the 5th ball, he hit the slower ball through extra cover, the final one he hit over the pacer’s head as the ball went for a boundary as well. The batter smacked the pacer for 28 runs in the over and helped his side as well.

After smashing Lockie Ferguson for 28 runs in the over, Phil Salt couldn’t carry on the momentum as he got out by Mohammed Siraj on the second ball of the next over as well. Mohammed Siraj bowled a good-length delivery and Phil Salt picked the length early and then played through the line. He tried to hit it behind square but ended up hitting a lot straighter and over square leg, where Rajat Patidar grabbed a simple catch.

Phil Salt finished the innings with 48 runs off just 14 balls. He also batted with a strike rate of over 342 and also hit 7 fours and 3 sixes in his innings. His swashbuckling knock at the top took Kolkata Knight Riders past 100 runs very quickly.

In a thrilling IPL match on Sunday, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), winning by eight wickets. Opener Phil Salt played a brilliant innings, scoring 89 runs off just 47 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer contributed with an unbeaten 38 runs at a steady pace. With 26 balls remaining, KKR comfortably chased down the target of 162 runs set by LSG.

LSG batted first and managed to score 161 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Nicholas Pooran was the top scorer for LSG with 45 runs off 32 balls, supported by captain KL Rahul’s contribution of 39 runs.

Mitchell Starc leads the attack

KKR’s bowlers put up a strong performance, with Mitchell Starc leading the attack by taking three wickets. Vaibhav Arora, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Andre Russell each claimed one wicket.

During KKR’s chase, the team got off to a flying start, scoring 22 runs in the first over. However, Sunil Narine was dismissed early after scoring just 6 runs. Raghuvanshi managed to add a few runs to the scoreboard before getting out at 7.

Phil Salt and Shreyas Iyer’s partnership hits on point

Phil Salt continued his aggressive batting, leading KKR’s charge towards the target. Captain Shreyas Iyer survived a close caught-behind appeal with the help of the Decision Review System (DRS). The duo of Salt and Iyer formed a formidable partnership, reaching the milestone of 100 runs in just 66 balls.

See Also: [Watch] MS Dhoni revisits the glory days in Mumbai

As the victory seemed imminent, Shreyas Iyer sealed the win with a six, further solidifying KKR’s dominance in the match. Phil Salt’s boundary helped KKR reach the target with ease. With this impressive performance, Kolkata Knight Riders secured a resounding victory over Lucknow Super Giants by 8 wickets, marking a significant win for the Knight Riders.