Dinesh Karthik, the mentor for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), recently shed light on the franchise’s decision to sign English wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt over Indian star Ishan Kishan during the IPL 2025 auction.
This choice has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike, given the caliber of both players. Here are the key reasons behind RCB’s preference for Salt:
1. Explosive Scoring Ability
Karthik emphasized the need for a player who can provide explosive starts, particularly in the powerplay overs.
He noted that Salt has a proven track record of scoring quickly, which aligns with RCB’s strategy to secure a foreign opener capable of changing the game in a matter of overs.
Karthik stated, “We would want a foreign opener because, on the day they get going, they can score a hundred in 60, 50, or 40 balls.” He highlighted that players like Salt and Jos Buttler are adept at achieving such high strike rates consistently.
In contrast, while acknowledging Ishan Kishan’s potential, Karthik pointed out that Kishan has not demonstrated this level of consistent explosive performance.
“Among Indian players, I can only think of Ishan Kishan, who has done that to a small degree,” he remarked, indicating that while Kishan possesses talent, his performance has not matched the required consistency.
2. Statistical Superiority
Karthik provided detailed statistics to support RCB’s decision. He noted Salt’s remarkable ability to score runs quickly during the powerplay.
Specifically, he mentioned that Salt scores between 12 to 15 runs in an over about 30% of the time and hits six to eight runs in an over nearly 28% of the time.
These statistics illustrate Salt’s capacity to accumulate runs rapidly and efficiently, making him an attractive option for RCB’s batting lineup.
In comparison, while Kishan is a talented player, Karthik suggested that he does not possess the same explosive scoring capability as Salt or other foreign openers.
This statistical analysis played a crucial role in RCB’s decision-making process during the auction.
3. Dual Role as Wicketkeeper
Another significant factor in RCB’s decision was Salt’s ability to fulfill dual roles as both an opener and a wicketkeeper.
This versatility allows RCB to optimize their squad composition by filling multiple roles with one player. Karthik pointed out that having a player like Salt who can keep wickets while also being an aggressive batsman provides strategic flexibility for the team.
This aspect became even more critical after RCB released Faf du Plessis and sought a replacement who could offer similar capabilities without compromising on performance.
Salt’s dual skill set made him an ideal candidate in this regard.
