"Kill Him": Phil Salt reveals Virat Kohli’s explosive order while opening for RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener Phil Salt has revealed an exciting side of batting alongside the Indian superstar Virat Kohli after they crushed Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets in the 28th game of the ongoing IPL 2025 on Sunday, April 13, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Phil Salt shared how Kohli’s fierce and fearless attitude lights up the crease during big moments. The Englishman revealed that whenever it's time to attack and a boundary comes early in the powerplay, Kohli doesn’t hold back as he charges down the pitch and even asks him to go for the kill.

Phil Salt reveals Virat Kohli’s killer instinct that destroys opposition in the IPL 2025

Salt admitted that he thrives on this sharp, clear, and aggressive mindset, which makes RCB’s opening partnership explosive and dangerous in the ongoing IPL 2025. He added that Kohli’s fearless spirit makes batting alongside him an unforgettable experience.

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Phil Salt said after the RR vs RCB match in Jaipur on Sunday: “What I like with Virat Kohli more than anything else is when it's time to take a big over, if you get a boundary in your first couple of balls, he's very clear with me; he'll be running down the wicket saying, Kill him. I love that sort of clean feedback and inputs.”

Shouting 'Kill him!' and bringing the energy like no one else. That's the Kohli effect! 🔥🏏⚡️💥 pic.twitter.com/PRpZqvhWNu

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) April 14, 2025

Phil Salt said - "I like with Virat Kohli more than anything else is when it's time to take a big over if you get a boundary in your first couple of balls, he's very clear with me, he'll be running down the wicket saying kill him. I love that sort of clean feedback & inputs". pic.twitter.com/7iT7SALOoM

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) April 14, 2025

RCB crush RR with powerplay carnage in Jaipur

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru sealed the game in the powerplay itself against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. With a nine-wicket victory against the RR, RCB recorded their fourth win of the IPL 2025 season that lifted them to the third spot on the points table.

Interestingly, all of RCB’s wins have come in away games so far in the tournament. After opting to bowl first, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowlers did a good job by restricting the Rajasthan Royals to 173/4. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the standout for RR with a fine 75, while Dhruv Jurel added a quick cameo of unbeaten 35 runs off 23 balls at the end against the RCB.

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The pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium wasn’t the easiest to bat on early, but as the match moved ahead, it became better for stroke play, and the RCB openers, Salt and Kohli, made the most of the conditions. Neither team lost a wicket in the powerplay.

Phil Salt stole the show with his blitz in Jaipur

While RR managed 45 runs, RCB was far quicker, smashing 65 without a loss — with Phil Salt leading the charge with a quickfire 46. The English batter’s 65-run knock was finally ended by Kumar Kartikeya, breaking a strong 94-run opening partnership between him and Kohli.

But by then, the damage was done. Kohli played a stunning knock of an unbeaten 62 runs off 45 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal added a quick 40, as the RCB chased down the target with 15 balls to spare and nine wickets in hand in Jaipur.

After adjudging Player of the Match for his match-winning knock against the RR, Salt had said, “The wicket was slower and lower than anywhere else we've played. I had a real opportunity in the power play to put a stamp. Very pleased, always pleased to contribute to a win.”