Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is returning from today. The 58th match of the 18th season of the league is to be played between last year’s champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The match is to be held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. However, Bangalore has been raining continuously for the last few days, due to which the toss is still delayed.

Happy to return to the field after a long time

Prior to the match, RCB’s explosive batsman Phil Salt said that he is playing after a long time and is feeling very good by returning to the field again. He said, “I am very excited about the return in the game. I have got a chance to play after a long time, feel good.”

No power-touching, focus on the basics of batting

Salt said that power-touching is not their first focus. He first works on the basics of batting in the practice session. “I first pay attention to the basics of batting. I see whether I am playing the ball on its line or not. I repeat it in every training session.”

Real fun in discipline and hard work

Salt said that he gets the real fun of batting in hard work and discipline. He said, “Before every match, I remember those moments when I have done well in training. I remember the basics that I have learned earlier. This is real bliss. It is all to discipline.”

Fans get special energy in Chinnaswamy

He praised RCB’s home ground Chinnaswamy Stadium and said that the atmosphere and support of fans here is very special. “When you come to the stadium, you can see the crowd of fans. We get tremendous home support here. This is an environment that creates hunger for victory in players.”

Playing every match like ‘Must-Win’

Phil Soult said that the team is playing every match like a final. “We play with the intention of winning every match. The same thinking is taking us forward. Now we have to win three more matches in the group stage, after that we will see where we stand.”

Virat’s test retirement did not discuss much

On Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, Salt said that there is not much talk in the team. He said, “Virat is not talking much on this at this time. Right now our entire focus is on group stage and playoffs.”