Phil Salt brushed aside concerns over his form in IPL 2026 after playing a match-winning performance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Mumbai Indians and said he is focusing on impact rather than milestones.
Salt smashed a whopping 78 off 36 balls at the Wankhede Stadiumwhich set the tone for RCB’s total of 240. The innings that earned him the Man of the Match award came at a time when questions were being raised about his consistency this season.
IPL 2026, RCB vs MI: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
“There’s a few highs and a lot of lows and you can’t ride them both. Stay as composed as you can and I’m glad I was able to come out and give the guys a performance,” Salt said after the game.
“Some of these pitches aren’t the best for pitchers, so you have to keep the mentality that you’re going to keep going at the opposition. And then don’t forget about your strengths as a player. It’s about being a game winner, isn’t it?” he added.
“I know I can’t run away every game, nobody can. But if I can be as impressive as possible, then I’m on the right track,” Salt said.
Salt’s innings was built on pure intent. He took charge of the power-play, attacking from the start and putting the Mumbai bowlers under pressure. His ability to spin was outstanding, including a sequence where he hit three consecutive sixes off Mitchell Santner.
Watch the video here:
While Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a solid half-century, Salt’s early strike ensured RCB gained the upper hand. The momentum was later carried by skipper Rajat Patidar whose quick knocks took the total past 240.
With the ball, RCB maintained control through the middle overs, with Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya ensuring that Mumbai never fully recovered despite the late pressure.
HOW DID SALT’S IPL 2026 GO?
Salt’s season was a mix of starts and misses. He started with a low score against Sunrisers Hyderabad followed by a decent contribution against Chennai Super Kings before registering a duck against Rajasthan Royals.
These performances have put him under scrutiny, especially after a strong IPL 2025 campaign where he scored over 400 runs.
However, the knock against Mumbai showed what he brings at his best. Salt remains one of the most dangerous T20 openers, capable of changing the course of a game in a matter of overs.
Rather than chasing consistency in numbers, his approach focuses on influence. And on a night like the one at the Wankhede, that mindset proves exactly why he remains such a valuable asset for RCB.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
13 Apr 2026 09:18 IST
