Phil Salt’s explosive unbeaten 56 propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first IPL final since 2016, dismantling Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1. RCB’s dominant bowling, led by Hazlewood and Sharma, restricted Punjab to a paltry 101. Salt’s calculated aggression, fueled by a desire to avoid Arshdeep Singh’s dismissal, ensured a swift victory, setting up a title clash in Ahmedabad. After powering Royal Challengers Bengaluru into their first IPL final since 2016 with an unbeaten 56 off just 27 balls, Phil Salt offered a candid and composed post-match reflection. His whirlwind knock helped RCB cruise past Punjab Kings’ modest 101-run total in just 10 overs, sealing an emphatic eight-wicket victory in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur.
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Salt, who smashed six fours and three sixes on a surface where no other batter looked in control, revealed a personal subplot that drove his calculated aggression. “Don’t get out to Arshdeep — that was the only thing on my mind,” he said with a smile. “We played two group games with PBKS and he’s got me out in different ways. Today, it was just about reacting to the ball.”
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While many viewed RCB’s disrupted travel schedule as a disadvantage, Salt framed it differently. “I told Andy (Flower) before the game, maybe the travel and breaks were a blessing in disguise. This win gives us momentum. It’s a cliché, but it’s what you want at the back end of a tournament.”Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Punjab Kings, making their first playoff appearance since 2014, suffered a brutal collapse after opting to bat. Their all-out 101 in just 14.1 overs which is their lowest total in an IPL playoff and was orchestrated by RCB’s relentless bowling unit. Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Suyash Sharma (3/17), and Yash Dayal (2/26) were lethal with the ball. In response, Salt’s onslaught was ably supported by Rajat Patidar (15*) as RCB wrapped up the chase with 60 balls to spare, setting up a title clash in Ahmedabad on June 3.
