IPL 2026: Phil Salt's stellar 78-run knock helps RCB secure win over MI

Phil Salt in full flow against MI at Wankhede. Pic/Atul Kamble

Phil Salt was at his attacking best at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night, taking the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) way past the 200-mark (240-4) against Mumbai Indians (MI).

Put in to bat, Salt (36-ball 78, 6x4, 6x6) was fearless. He took only 10 singles and four doubles during his knock, while as many as 60 runs came through fours and sixes.

The Englishman's inside-out four through covers off pacer Trent Boult in the first over, was the outcome of some fine footwork and accurate placement between covers and mid-off. He then executed a Rohit Sharma-like pull shot to smash Boult for a six over square leg. Salt's second, third and fourth sixes of the innings came in three successive balls when he hammered left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner on the leg side, taking 22 runs off the over.

Salt's half-century came in a mere 25 balls, through a cracking four off spinner Mayank Markande, between long-on and deep mid-wicket. Salt and opening partner Virat Kohli's partnership was worth 71 after just six overs. Shardul Thakur eventually broke the 120-run opening stand, dismissing Salt through MI captain Hardik Pandya at covers.

Besides Salt, Kohli (38-ball 50, 5x4, 1x6) and skipper Rajat Patidar (20-ball 53, 4x4, 5x6) also helped themselves to half-
centuries.

Kohli, who was beaten on the very first ball he faced while trying to flick Boult, showcased some exemplary wrist work and footwork to hit the pacer for a couple of boundaries. Kohli reached his second 50 of this IPL in 37 balls.

Earlier, players from both MI and RCB teams wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence to pay tribute to legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away on Sunday.