Phil Salt Recalls First Meeting With Virat Kohli: ‘I Accidentally Hit Him on the Head… Then He Grabbed Me’

England opener Phil Salt has revealed a funny incident involving Virat Kohli that turned an awkward first meeting into a memorable friendship during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Speaking on the Super Over Podcast, Salt recalled how he accidentally hit Kohli with a foam ball during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) open training session before the start of the IPL season.

A Throw Meant for Liam Livingstone Went Wrong

Salt explained that RCB had organised an open practice session where players interacted with fans by throwing foam balls into the stands.

During the activity, Salt noticed his England teammate Liam Livingstone standing at the other end and decided to play a prank by aiming one of the foam balls at him.

However, things did not go according to plan.

Instead of reaching Livingstone, the ball unexpectedly changed direction and struck Virat Kohli on the side of the head.

Recalling the incident, Salt admitted he immediately tried to pretend that nothing had happened.”I caught Livvy at the corner of my eye and thought, ‘He’s getting it now.’ I threw the ball, but it swerved and went straight into Virat’s head. I just kept walking and looked the other way as if nothing had happened,” Salt said.

Virat Kohli’s Reaction Surprised Him

Salt confessed that he barely knew Kohli at the time and was worried about how the Indian batting superstar would react.

He said Kohli quickly realised who had thrown the ball and walked straight towards him.

Instead of getting angry, Kohli grabbed Salt in a playful headlock, instantly breaking the ice between the two teammates.

Salt described it as the “best ice-breaking incident” he could have imagined.

The England batter said Kohli’s light-hearted response immediately made him feel comfortable around one of cricket’s biggest personalities.

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Why Young Players Feel Nervous Around Kohli

Salt also spoke about Kohli’s larger-than-life presence in world cricket.

According to him, many young players naturally become nervous when they meet the former India captain because of his achievements and reputation.

He believes Kohli understands this and often makes an effort to help newcomers relax.”He’s so accustomed to guys looking up to him—and rightly so after everything he’s achieved. I think it’s his job to make people feel relaxed because they’re usually not relaxed around him,” Salt explained.

A Different Side of Virat Kohli

Known for his intensity and fierce competitiveness on the field, Virat Kohli is often seen as one of cricket’s most passionate players.

However, Salt’s story has given fans a glimpse of the lighter side of the Indian legend, showing how humour and camaraderie also play a role in his leadership and relationships within the dressing room.

The amusing anecdote has quickly become a favourite among cricket fans, highlighting that behind Kohli’s aggressive on-field persona is a teammate who knows how to welcome new players with a smile.