Delhi : England's explosive opener Phil Salt has credited former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor and India head coach Gautam Gambhir for his stellar performance in IPL 2024. Salt, who received the Men's T20 Batsman of the Year honour at the CEAT Cricket Awards 2024, cited Gambhir's guidance and advice as the main reason behind his success in Indian conditions.

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27-year-old Phil Salt's performance in IPL 2024 was phenomenal, which he described as a turning point in his career. The impact of Gautam Gambhir's aggression and dedication is clearly visible on Salt. Salt said that the experience of working with Gambhir proved to be transformative for him. Gambhir's approach to the game – tactical brilliance and competitive edge inspired Salt to push his limits and gain an advantage in matches.

Salt played a key role in KKR's title win in IPL 2024, where he scored 435 runs in 12 matches at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 182.01. However, Salt had to leave KKR in the later stages of the IPL due to England commitments.

Phil Salt said at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2024, “It was a great experience to come to the IPL and win. Gautam Gambhir is a well-known name in Indian cricket and for cricket fans around the world. His playing record speaks volumes. His mentoring experience influenced me deeply. His competitive attitude and quest to improve every single percent also brought a change in my game.”