Last year, the 45-ball 87 for Delhi Capitals at the Ferozeshah Kotla against Royal Challengers Bengaluru was kind of a trailer from Phil Salt in his debut IPL. This season, the England T20I opener has unravelled the full story, helping Kolkata Knight Riders slay opponents to rise to the top of the points table.

Aggregating 429 runs so far in this IPL with four half-centuries at an average of 42.90 and strike rate of 183.33, the 27-year-old, along with Sunil Narine, has given the Knights flying starts match after match.

Salt, who was born in Wales and raised in Barbados, has been far more consistent this year for KKR than he was with the Capitals in 2023. "It's just the growth as a player, I think," Salt told The Telegraph when asked if there has been any tweak in terms of his approach or technique.

"I'm someone looking to learn and develop my game... Don't think anybody has come into the IPL and cracked it first up... It’s one of those things which is about developing as a player. So, I'm just looking to keep making match-winning contributions and that’s where I am at mindset-wise."

Adjusting with Indian pitches and conditions is also a challenge for most of the overseas players, especially those from England who seem to be having perennial problems against spin. Salt, though, has adapted better in this IPL season.

"I have been to India a few times previously, not just to play but to train as well. So, the conditions here are not alien to me," he stated, adding: "I feel like if it was red-ball cricket, the conversations would be slightly different.

"But it's not spinning too much, touchwood."

Salt, however, did acknowledge that his IPL form and that of the other England players, especially Jos Buttler, bodes well for them going into the T20 World Cup. "But to defend our title, the key is to get off to a good start," he stressed.

Ready for red ball

A Test debut is yet to happen, while Salt is also not too sure of what 'Bazball' means. But if a Test opportunity beckons, he believes he will be "a natural fit".

"You call it Bazball, but I’m not sure quite exactly what that means. What I know is that the Test team is playing quite an attacking way, looking to put pressure on (oppositions) and at times also absorbing the pressure. They're playing really smart, being positive and aggressive to take the game on, something I have always done in my first-class career (52 matches) so far.

"I feel like I will be a natural fit. Hopefully, the opportunity does come my way," Salt, whose strike rate in first-class cricket reads 71.96, said.