‘He’s always looking for those one per cent’ – Phil Salt hails Gautam Gambhir, reveals best advice received from him

Phil Salt and Gautam Gambhir. (Source – Twitter/X)

Star England batter Phil Salt recently came forward and heaped praise on former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, as it was his mentorship that helped Salt perform in Indian conditions in the IPL (Indian Premier League). Salt was part of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024, where Gambhir was their mentor. The side went on to win their third IPL title in 2024. 

Talking about the time he spent under Gambhir’s mentorship, Phil Salt took centre stage and revealed the best bit of advice that he received from the former India opener that helped him perform in the Indian conditions. 

Salt spoke highly of Gautam Gambhir, revealing that he related to his perspectives, describing the former India player as a true competitor and how much he loved working alongside him throughout the IPL.

Also Read: ‘Toughest bowler I ever faced’ – Gautam Gambhir’s comments on Morne Morkel resurface after appointment as bowling coach

“What a competitor. I could really relate to him from that point of view. He’s always looking for those one per cent what’s going to get the individual to be better and what’s going to get the team over the line. So I loved working for him. You know one word would be a competitor,” Salt said during an awards function.

“I think the main bit of advice that I took from GG was to take the game deep, especially here in India. You know, from the moment I got off the first training session, he sat me down, he said, I know you’re going to score runs for us, but I want you to score the majority of your runs between overs ten and 20, he said at Eden Gardens,” he added.

It is worth noting that Phil Salt left before the IPL playoffs due to national duties, but in the 12 matches that he played, Salt scored 435 runs at a strike rate of 182 and averaged 39.55. His destructive batting was crucial to KKR lifting the title and reclaiming their throne.