The former South African cricketer AB de Villiers feels that Delhi Capitals (DC) might have overlooked a potential game-changer by releasing Phil Salt and then not acquiring him in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction.
The dynamic wicket-keeper batter from England, Phil Salt featured in nine matches for Delhi Capitals during the IPL 2023 season. He showcased his destructive batting skills by amassing 218 runs at an impressive strike rate of 163.91 which includes two half-centuries. Unexpectedly, Salt remained unsold at the IPL 2024 auction. Not only this, the aggressive batsman has recorded centuries in his last two T20 International innings against West Indies.
While replying to a fan’s question on the Delhi Capitals’ approach in the recently concluded IPL Auction 2024, Phil Salt said, “The planning for the IPL auction has been done months in advance. I do agree in a way. Phil Salt, I absolutely love watching him play. He is one of the hot favorites in the SA20 tournament. I saw Salt score a lot of runs for the Pretoria Capitals.”
“Yes, maybe they have missed out by not buying him or failing to retain him for the Delhi Capitals. He didn’t play much last year and maybe he disappointed some of the management. But, he’s a fantastic player and it’s a shame not to see him there,” the 39-year-old added.
Phil Salt has played 20 T20 matches for England in which he has gathered 601 runs at a striking rate of 165.56.