The high-octane environment of Indian Premier League (IPL) Known for intense rivalries, thorny finishes and unpredictable locker-room bonding. Amid India’s tour of England 2026, an unconventional and hilarious incident paved the way for lasting camaraderie between the two Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Electricity house Virat Kohli And England’s dynamic opening batsman, Phil Salt. While young or upcoming cricketers often find themselves intimidated by Kohli’s towering stature in world cricket, Salt managed to break the ice in the most chaotic way, establishing a unique bond that has since become a talking point for cricket fans globally.
Phil Salt reflects on ice-breaking moment with Virat Kohli during IPL 2025
Speaking on the Super Over podcast with host Nikhil Uttamchandani, Salt candidly shared the background of his first memorable conversation with the Indian batsman. The unexpected moment unfolded during RCB’s open training session, where the players were tasked with interacting with fans using promotional foam balls.
“It all happened when I hit him on the head with a foam ball“Salt was revealed during the podcast.
Explaining the mechanics of the accident, Salt detailed how hundreds of foam balls were placed in the changing rooms to be deflated or thrown into the crowd. Attempt to joke with your England teammate liam livingstone (“Livi”), Salt launched a throw that missed completely.
Instead of hitting its intended target, the ball reversed its trajectory and hit Kohli straight on the temple. Salt remembered Kohli looking around angrily, while he looked away and tried his best to remain calm. However, the cover-up failed. Kohli caught him red-handed, ran and tackled the English opener.
Reflecting on the event, Salt said that the accidental physical comedy served as the ultimate ice breaker. He highlighted how most players worship Kohli because of his legendary status, making it difficult for the icon to experience normal, comfortable interactions. Putting aside the usual reverence, Salt, albeit accidentally, allowed Kohli to immediately defend himself.
“This was the open training of RCB. They gave us these foam balls and they were all over the changing rooms, hundreds of them. And then you have to either throw them into the crowd or hit them into the crowd with a tennis racket.
And I saw Livy at the corner of my eye. I thought, “Okay, he’s getting it now.” And I have turned this thing on myself and thrown it straight into her temple. And he looked around, he was angry. I just looked away, just carried on as normal.
And then I took a quick look at him…he was staring straight at me, knowing it was me. Ran at me, tackled me and I think that was the best ice-breaker.
I think he’s gotten used to people worshiping him—and that’s fair, given everything he’s accomplished. So I think it’s really a big task for him to be comfortable in front of these people, because they’re not comfortable“He said.
See also: Fan proudly waves Virat Kohli’s RCB jersey at FIFA World Cup 2026
Salt also revealed what Kohli means to him at RCB
Apart from 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 batsman expressed immense gratitude for the advice and on-field chemistry he shared with the former Indian captain, which parallels one of the most lethal pairings in football.
“Virat Kohli is to me what Kevin De Bruyne was to Erling Haaland. we have that level of relationship“Salt said.
This comparison tells a lot about the dynamics between the two. Manchester City in football Kevin De Bruyne Known for his excellent vision and precise assist which perfectly nourishes Erling hollandClinical goal-scoring propensity of. Comparing Kohli to De Bruyne, Salt sees him as the ultimate playmaker and anchor, someone whose immense experience, anchoring presence, and elite cricket IQ creates the perfect platform for an aggressive batsman like Salt to play freely and destructively. This mix of mutual respect and light-hearted friendship highlights how modern franchise cricket bridges international boundaries, creating iconic partnerships both on and off the field.
Also read: Kapil Dev gives his opinion on Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket