'Expected To Be Picked'- Phil Salt Expresses Disappointment On IPL Snub After Century vs WI
Salt had a fruitful IPL 2023 for Delhi Capitals (Twitter)
Phil Salt was left searching for answers behind his surprising omission from the list of purchased players at the IPL 2024 mini-auction held in Dubai on Tuesday (December 19).
The extravagant England top-order batter found no takers despite a reasonably successful previous season for the Delhi Capitals (DC).
Released by the Capitals despite making his runs at a strike rate of 163.91 while carrying a decent average of 27.25 in the role of an aggressor, Salt had bolstered his case immensely for a hefty bid with two consecutive centuries in the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies.
However, no one raised the paddle for the English wicketkeeper-batter even as he registered at a low-key base sum of INR 1.50 crores on the lookout for a fresh beginning in the marquee T20 league.
Phil Salt Confused Over IPL Snub
Perhaps undone by the lack of vacancy in the top order for multiple IPL franchises dealing with a limited budget after undergoing retention and release, Salt had to bite the tough bullet and said he would continue to focus on his game for better luck next time.
"It was a confusing morning. I expected to be picked up, having gone there last year and done well and after the year that I've had, but these things happen."
"It's part of the lottery of an auction, it happens in draft processes as well. There's a few lads in our dressing room who are going to have a very good Christmas and I'm over the moon for them."
"I was a bit confused but it can happen. There's no bad cricketers on the list at the IPL. It's one of those things," he added.
Salt has a T20I career strike-rate of 165.56 with an average above 35 after 20 matches for England to go with his overall domestic T20 SR of 152.90 after 215 matches. When on song, he is a delightful player to watch and can force attacks to bow down in submission.