Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has expressed confidence that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will not be significantly impacted by the absence of their in-form opener, Phil Salt, in the upcoming playoffs of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Salt, who has been a crucial part of the KKR batting lineup, has left the IPL to join the England national camp ahead of their T20I series against Pakistan. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Sehwag emphasized that KKR should not feel Salt’s absence too deeply and encouraged other players to step up in his place. “It’s not like one player’s absence will drop the value of your team. It’s just that the other player needs to perform well. What will matter is that one of your in-form players will be absent. KKR will miss Phil Salt’s performance, the runs he has scored, and the strike rate he maintained,” Sehwag said.
Salt, who has scored 435 runs in his 13 appearances this season, has been pivotal in KKR’s success, often providing explosive starts alongside Sunil Narine. The opening partnership between Salt and Narine has been instrumental in several of KKR’s victories, thanks to their aggressive approach from the outset. However, Sehwag believes that KKR has enough depth in their squad to compensate for Salt’s departure. “However, it can also happen that someone can step up and perform better than Salt in that match. After all, it just takes one player to step up and perform well in a match, right? So I’d rather look at it positively. You have bought the rest of the players for this sort of moment, right? So that if one gets injured or leaves midway, another player can step up,” Sehwag added.
KKR will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1 on May 21, and the absence of Salt is already a topic of speculation ahead of the clash. The final group-stage game against Rajasthan Royals was washed out on May 19, setting the stage for the crucial playoff encounter. With the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and KS Bharat available as wicketkeeper-batter options, it remains to be seen who will replace Salt in the playing XI. Sehwag’s remarks highlight the importance of team depth and the need for other players to seize the opportunity. KKR’s management and fans will be hoping that someone from the squad can rise to the occasion and deliver a match-winning performance in Salt’s absence. The team’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be crucial as they aim to progress further in the tournament.
Several standout performances have marked KKR’s campaign, and their resilience will be tested again. The match against SRH is expected to be a thrilling contest, with both teams vying for a spot in the next round of the playoffs. As the tournament progresses, KKR must maintain their form and composure to overcome the challenges posed by Salt’s departure and continue their quest for the IPL 2024 title. While Phil Salt’s absence is a setback, Sehwag’s optimism and the team’s overall strength provide a silver lining. KKR’s success in the playoffs will depend on their ability to fill the void left by Salt and capitalize on the opportunities presented to them.