Salt smashed 68 off just 33 balls, with 60 of those runs coming in the powerplay . During that phase, he clubbed seven fours and four sixes as KKR raced to 79, which was the fifth time this season that they posted 75 or more in the first six overs.

“It is high-risk at times, but it is also about putting the odds in your favour and not taking the risks you don’t want to,” Salt told the host broadcaster after the game. “That’s the sort of balance that every opening batter tries to strike. Sometimes you can miss the boat a few innings in a row, but you just got to keep backing yourself and sort of taking those right options.”

“We’ve dovetailed nicely this competition, [and] that’s because if one of us gets going, then you feed the strike to that person,” Saltsaid. “When I get going, he feeds me the strike, and vice-versa. It’s good that we are on the same page like that.”

Asked about the nature of his conversations with Narine, Salt said, “Off-field, we have a laugh generally. On-field, there’s not too much. We normally do all the talking the day before. Sunil keeps it very simple, but he’s a deep thinker of the game. With all his experience, he’s really good to lean on. We normally just have a good time. He brings a lot of experience to the partnership.”

“Phil, he comes for the team meetings and also gives his inputs,” Iyer said. “That guy is completely engrossed in the game. He wants to learn what’s happening, and every time [he is] coming up and giving such kind of performances and brilliant starts. It’s just pure bliss to see him coming and performing the way he has been.”