Virat Kohli and Phil Salt (Source:@Instagram)
In what can only be described as a script straight out of a movie, England’s Phil Salt lived a dream in 48 hours. He welcomed his first child and lifted the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy for the very first time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Salt, who formed a deadly opening partnership with Virat Kohli in IPL 2025, was a crucial part of RCB’s title-winning campaign. But just a day before the final, Salt had temporarily left the team to fly back to England after RCB’s Qualifier 1 victory on May 29, to be by his partner for the birth of their child.
In a dramatic return, Salt flew back on the morning of the final and slotted right into the playing XI as RCB faced Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad. Batting first, RCB posted 190/9, and then held their nerve to seal a six-run win, clinching their maiden IPL title and ending 18 years of heartbreak.
Virat Kohli’s Message To Salt: “Go Back To The Real Stuff”
After the win, RCB's hero Virat Kohli took to Instagram to share a heartfelt yet cheeky message for Salt. Posting a photo of the duo holding the IPL trophy, Kohli wrote: “Well done, partner. Now go back to the real stuff and get ready for changing diapers.”
Kohli’s tribute reflected the bond the two shared throughout the season. Their partnership at the top was one of RCB’s strongest weapons combining 664 runs across the season at an average of 47.42. Salt contributed 387 of those runs, while Kohli topped RCB’s batting charts with 657 runs.
Salt’s Instagram Post : “One for the Baby, One For The Cup”
Shortly after the celebrations, Phil Salt shared his own emotions through an Instagram post that perfectly blended personal joy and professional triumph. In a series of photos, including one with Kohli in the dressing room, Salt captioned the post: “One for the baby, one for the cup.”
RCB fans will prepare to celebrate the franchise's long-awaited success with a victory parade scheduled for Wednesday (June 4) in Bengaluru.