<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ipl-2026-virat-kohli-phil-salt-provide-strong-start-as-rcb-reach-115-runs-in-10-overs-against-mi-23625379" rel="nofollow">Phil Salt</a> was at his attacking best at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night, taking the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) way past the 200-mark (240-4) against Mumbai Indians (MI).
Put in to bat, Salt (36-ball 78, 6x4, 6x6) was fearless. He took only 10 singles and four doubles during his knock, while as many as 60 runs came through fours and sixes.
The Englishman&rsquo;s inside-out four through covers off pacer Trent Boult in the first over, was the outcome of some fine footwork and accurate placement between covers and mid-off. He then executed a <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/mumbai-indians-honour-rohit-sharma-contribution-and-leadership-for-completing-15-year-with-the-franchise-23625222" rel="nofollow">Rohit Sharma</a>-like pull shot to smash Boult for a six over square leg. Salt&rsquo;s second, third and fourth sixes of the innings came in three successive balls when he hammered left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner on the leg side, taking 22 runs off the over.
Salt&rsquo;s half-century came in a mere 25 balls, through a cracking four off spinner Mayank Markande, between long-on and deep mid-wicket. Salt and opening partner Virat Kohli&rsquo;s partnership was worth 71 after just six overs. Shardul Thakur eventually broke the 120-run opening stand, dismissing Salt through MI captain Hardik Pandya at covers.
Besides Salt, Kohli (38-ball 50, 5x4, 1x6) and skipper Rajat Patidar (20-ball 53, 4x4, 5x6) also helped themselves to half- centuries.&nbsp;
Kohli, who was beaten on the very first ball he faced while trying to flick Boult, showcased some exemplary wrist work and footwork to hit the pacer for a couple of boundaries. Kohli reached his second 50 of this IPL in 37 balls.&nbsp;
Earlier, players from both MI and <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/ipl-2026-royal-challengers-bengaluru-batsmen-wreak-havoc-post-240-runs-against-mumbai-indians-110570" rel="nofollow">RCB</a> teams wore black armbands and observed a minute&rsquo;s silence to pay tribute to legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away on Sunday.

Opener Phil’s quickfire 78 off 36 balls, backed by half-centuries from skipper Rajat Patidar (53 off 20 balls) and Virat Kohli (50 off 38 balls), helps RCB

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Opener Phil’s quickfire 78 off 36 balls, backed by half-centuries from skipper Rajat Patidar (53 off 20 balls) and Virat Kohli (50 off 38 balls), helps RCB pile up the runs at Wankhede

IPL 2026: Phil Salt's stellar 78-run knock helps RCB secure win over MI

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