‘I was a bit confused’: England’s Phil Salt reacts to IPL Auction snub

England batter Phil Salt expressed surprise after being ignored by franchises on Tuesday in the IPL 2024 Auction, saying it was “confusing” for him to not attract any interest whatsoever.

Salt had been released by the Delhi Capitals on Retention Day despite having a somewhat decent run — while he collected 218 runs in nine appearances across the season, those runs came at a strike rate of 163.91 and he had also starred in DC’s clinical home victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore with a 45-ball 87.

The Welshman’s T20I career strike rate of 157.51 (until Tuesday), along with his red-hot form in the shortest format — he struck a match-winning 109 against West Indies in Grenada on the eve of the auction — led many to believe he would easily land a deal with another franchise and perhaps even trigger a bidding war that would push his price past the 10-crore mark.

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Reacting to the snub right after smashing a second consecutive century against the West Indies to guide England to a series-leveling win on Tuesday, Salt added getting overlooked was “part of the lottery of an auction” and that these things happen from time to time.

“It was a confusing morning. I expected to be picked up, having gone there last year and done well and after the year that I’ve had, but these things happen. It’s part of the lottery of an auction, it happens in draft processes as well. There’s a few lads in our dressing room who are going to have a very good Christmas and I’m over the moon for them.

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“I was a bit confused but it can happen. There’s no bad cricketers on the list at the IPL. It’s one of those things,” Salt, who followed up his 56-ball 109 with a 57-ball 119, helping take the ongoing series to a decider.

Really Surprised Phil Salt wasn’t picked up in the auction earlier today. Even before this second consecutive T20i century.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 19, 2023

All-rounder Chris Woakes and batter Harry Brook were the top buys among the Englishmen, going to Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals for Rs 4.2 crore and Rs 4 crore respectively.

Left-arm pacer David Willey, who quit international cricket right after England’s dismal World Cup campaign, went to Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 2 crore.