IPL 2025: Three teams that will enter the race to bid for ‘Valuable Asset’ Phil Salt at Auction

England international Phil Salt has been in terrific form of late. The swashbuckling opening batter scored 435 runs including four half-centuries. He averaged almost 40 in 12 innings and maintained an exceptional strike rate of 182.

The 27-year-old played one of the substantial roles in KKR's title-winning campaign in IPL 2024. He was primarily responsible for explosive starts and key performances, which helped the Knight Riders lay a rock-solid foundation.

Currently, he is busy playing in the T20 World Cup 2024 wherein he scored 147 runs in five games for England. He will surely be a hot commodity in the IPL 2025 auction, given his form factor and power-hitting abilities. A few teams will enter the race to place costly bids for the aggressive right-hander, although KKR will use RTM for him to retain him.

1. Mumbai Indians: Nothing went well for the five-time IPL champions in IPL 2024 season. It all started with MI team management sacking Rohit Sharma as captain. Since the veteran was in a negative shade last season, it is highly likely that he might be parting ways with the MI franchise. If that's the case, then one of their opening slots will be left vacant. MI are known to target ambitious hitters at the auction and they will look to place a bid for Phil Salt.

2. Chennai Super Kings: The CSK team management pulled off a masterstroke move by recruiting Rachin Ravindra for just INR 1.8 lakh at IPL 2024 auction but the signing didn't reap them rewards. Ravindra's maiden IPL season didn't go well as he mustered 222 runs at an average of 22.20 and strike rate of 160.87. CSK had to chop and change their opening pairs at times, which only caused them troubles. It is a strong possibility that CSK might place a bid for Phil Salt at the next auction.

3. Delhi Capitals: The Delhi-based franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs by finishing sixth on the table. Their opening pair - David Warner and Prithvi Shaw failed to make a telling impact. Since the opening combination failed miserably, it is very much certain that they will be looking to buy a player who possesses situational awareness and ability to dictate the terms in the powerplay overs. DC are one of the teams that will show interest in placing the bid for Phil Salt.