On Saturday at Eden Gardens, an exciting match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) marked the start of the IPL 2025 season. Star players like Virat Kohli attract all the attention. Phil Salt, one of the new RCB signings, has shared some thoughts on the relationship between himself and Kohli and their expected opening-partnership role for the team this season.
“Virat Kohli is such a good person. Off the field, he is quite relaxed. Then when it comes to game time, he becomes a very fierce competitor. He enjoys the fight, loves the battle, and gets right into the contest. We have been getting along very well. I cannot wait to open the batting with him,” Salt told the RCB media.
Salt, who was signed by RCB for ₹11.50 crore, added in his conversation the second importance: “When you have influential players in the squad who have performed at the top level, it builds belief and confidence. Success at that stage instills belief, and our side is clearly filled with players who have performed in terms of performance and leadership.”
Salt joined RCB after playing for Delhi Capitals in 2023 and was on the KKR team that won the title in 2024.
Meanwhile, Kohli is knocking on history at Eden Gardens. He needs 38 runs in the IPL 2025 opener to become the third batter to make 1,000 runs or more against KKR in the tournament’s history. Kohli has scored 962 runs in 31 innings against KKR at an average of 38.48, with one century and six 50s.
And in first place is David Warner, who has scored 1,093 runs in 28 innings against KKR at an average of 43.72, with two centuries and six fifties. Rohit Sharma then follows with 1,070 runs from 34 innings at an average of 39.62, with one century and six fifties. Kohli has a chance to enter this special fraternity and cement his legacy in the IPL further.