England opener Phil Salt remain unsold at the 2024 IPL auction.

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England opener Phil Salt's journey from being unsold in the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024 auction to becoming the hero in England's T20I victory against West Indies is a typical case study of the eccentricities of the auctioneering procedure.

Despite having a base price of ₹1.5 crore, Phil Salt found no takers among the 10 franchises in the IPL 2024 auction. However, this setback did not shake Salt but boosted his determination to excel.

Soon after his snub at the 2024 IPL auction, he smashed a century against West Indies, his second consecutive T20I hundred. Following his hundred, Salt expressed his disappointment over going unsold and remarked that he was expecting to be picked up.

“It was a confusing morning. I was expecting to be picked up, having gone there last year and done well, and the year that I’ve had.”

In the 4th T20I against West Indies, Salt showcased remarkable batting prowess, smashing an outstanding 119 runs from just 57 balls. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in England's 75-run victory, levelling the T20I series 2-2 and setting up a thrilling decider.

Salt's unbeaten century in England's previous victory in Grenada showcases his consistent form which further adds to the bafflement.

How did Salt do in IPL 2023?

The 27-year-old made his IPL debut last year and had an impressive outing in the middle, scoring 218 runs in nine matches. His highest score was 87 and he averaged 27.25, which included two fifties.

What did Phil Salt say about him being unsold?

"It was a confusing morning," he said.

"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 are a few lads in our dressing room who are going to have a very good Christmas, and I'm over the moon for them. I was a bit confused, but it can happen. There are no bad cricketers on the list at the IPL. It's one of those things."