The high-octane environment of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for intense rivalries, nail-biting finishes, and unexpected locker-room bonding. Amidst the India tour of England 2026, an unconventional and hilarious incident paved the way for an enduring camaraderie between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) powerhouse Virat Kohli and England’s dynamic opener, Phil Salt. While young or incoming cricketers often find themselves intimidated by Kohli’s towering stature in world cricket, Salt managed to break the ice in the most chaotic way possible, establishing a unique bond that has since become a talking point for cricket fans globally.

Phil Salt reflects on the ice-breaker moment with Virat Kohli during IPL 2025

Speaking on the Super Over Podcast with host Nikhil Uttamchandani, Salt candidly shared the backstory of his very first memorable interaction with the Indian batting maestro. The unexpected moment unfolded during an RCB open training session, where players were tasked with interacting with fans using promotional foam balls.

“It all happened from me hitting him in the head with a foam ball,” Salt revealed during the podcast.

Explaining the mechanics of the mishap, Salt detailed how hundreds of foam balls were placed in the changing room to be hit or thrown into the crowd. Attempting to prank his England teammate Liam Livingstone (“Livvy”), Salt launched a throw that went completely rogue.

Instead of hitting his intended target, the ball reversed trajectory and struck Kohli directly on the temple. Salt recalled Kohli looking around “fuming” while he desperately tried to play it cool by looking away. However, the cover-up failed. Kohli caught him red-handed, ran over, and tackled the English opener.

Reflecting on the incident, Salt noted that the accidental physical comedy served as the ultimate ice-breaker. He highlighted how most players tend to worship Kohli due to his legendary status, making it difficult for the icon to experience normal, relaxed interactions. By bypassing the usual reverence, albeit accidentally, Salt allowed Kohli to let his guard down instantly.

“It was the RCB open training. They gave us these foam balls and they were all in the changing room, there’s hundreds of them. And then you gotta either throw them into the crowd or hit them into the crowd with a tennis racket.

And I saw Livvy at the corner of my eye. I thought, “Right, he is getting it now.” And I’ve thrown this thing, reversed on me, straight into his temple. And he looked around, he was fuming. I just looked the other way, just kept walking as normal.

And then I just gave it the quick look around… he was staring straight at me, knew it was me. Ran at me, tackled me, and that was the best ice-breaker I think.

I think he’s so used to guys worshipping him—and rightly so with all he has achieved. So I think it actually is quite a job for him to sort of relax in front of these guys, because they’re not relaxed,” he added.

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Salt also opened about what Kohli is to him in RCB

Beyond the initial locker-room banter, Salt’s integration into the RCB setup allowed him to develop a deep tactical and personal understanding with Kohli. The English batter expressed immense gratitude for the mentorship and on-field chemistry he shared with the former Indian captain, drawing a parallel to one of football’s most lethal duos.

“Virat Kohli for me is what Kevin De Bruyne was to Erling Haaland. We’ve that level of relationship,” Salt stated.

This comparison speaks volumes about the dynamic the two share. In football, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is celebrated for his masterful vision and precision assists that perfectly feed Erling Haaland’s clinical goal-scoring instincts. By comparing Kohli to De Bruyne, Salt views him as the ultimate playmaker and anchor, someone whose immense experience, anchoring presence, and elite cricketing IQ create the perfect platform for an aggressive batter like Salt to play freely and destructively. This blend of mutual respect and lighthearted friendship highlights how modern franchise cricket bridges international boundaries, creating iconic partnerships both on and off the field.

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