Phil Salt reveals his 'personal experience' with Chandrakant Pandit amid allegations of militant-style coaching

England opener Phil Salt revealed his experience of playing under Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Phil Salt said he had a positive experience despite foreign players being frustrated with Chandrakant Pandit's militant style of coaching.

Phil Salt had an outstanding season as an opener for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024. The right-handed batter provided the team with quick starts alongside Sunil Narine at the top of the order. Salt and Narine played a crucial role in the Knight Riders' third title victory in the Indian Premier League.

Salt and Sunil Narine's partnership allowed the middle and lower order to capitalize. Salt missed the latter part of IPL 2024 due to international duties. The opening batter scored 435 runs in 12 games at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 182. He hit four fifties with a best score of an unbeaten 89 runs.

Not My Personal Experience - Phil Salt

Some foreign players expressed frustration with Chandrakant Pandit's militant style of functioning during the IPL 2024. However, Phil Salt had a contrasting experience with Pandit. Salt praised Pandit for his excellent coaching skills and added that they still keep in touch.

"That's not my personal experience. I can say that you know we got on from day one. No, he's a man that reads a room very well. He knows when to have an arm around you, knows when to pull your tail a bit. I think that's now a trait that all good coaches have. You know, I've got a great relationship with him and still swap texts with him. You know, he watches a lot of cricket. He's always in touch, so a great man," Salt said during the CEAT Cricketing Rating Awards.

I Was Disappointed To Come So Far - Phil Salt

Phil Salt is disappointed with leaving the Kolkata Knight Riders camp midway through the IPL 2024. The 27-year-old batter felt that his job was unfinished. He wanted to participate in every game and key moment. Salt acknowledged that the team deserved to become champions in the IPL 2024 season.

"I think if you put any work into a competition, especially the IPL. You want to play every game that's what's in you as a professional sportsman. I want to play the big games. I want to play all the high-pressure games and be in the high-pressure moments. That's what it's all about, you know. Obviously, I was disappointed to come so far and leave India feeling like I still had a job to do. But the boys picked up beautifully from where we left off and became deserving IPL champions," Salt added.

Phil Salt was recalled by England for their series against Pakistan during the final stages of IPL 2024. Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz replaced him in KKR's playing XI. The Shreyas Iyer-led team defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Salt will next play for England in the upcoming home white-ball series against Australia in September. The two teams will compete in three T20 Internationals and five ODI matches, from September 11 to September 29.

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