The IPL Qualifier 1 match, in which teams compete for a spot in the IPL final, is always full of battles, and Phil Salt versus Arshdeep Singh was one of them. Prior to Thursday's Qualifier 1 between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, Arshdeep Singh was in a commanding position in what had been a one-sided match. Arshdeep had Salt's number, to put it mildly.

The English opener has struggled mightily against Arshdeep. Whether for England or IPL. Salt has consistently had trouble against Arshdeep, regardless of whether it be T20S or ODIs. In nine T20s, the left-handed pacer has taken out the England opener four times. Arshdeep sent Salt packing in both of the league games during this year's IPL.

The RCB opener was intent on reversing the situation in the Qualifier, and he succeeded. Ultimately, he smashed three sixes and six fours, including a clean pull off pacer Arshdeep Singh. Salt's undefeated 56 off 27 balls allowed RCB to walk into its first final since 2016 by chasing down PBKS's little 102-run target in only 10 overs.

Salt stated after the game that he was doing all he could to avoid being dismissed by Arshdeep Singh. "Great feeling right now, it (the ball) did move a bit. In my opinion, this season's worst wicket was not that one. In the post-game presentation, he stated, "Don't try to get into Arshdeep's head (his mindset during the innings), we played two group games (with PBKS) and he has found different ways to get me out, so I was just trying to react to the ball."

It's a cliche but true that it gives us the momentum. That's what you want at the end of the tournament, to find your rhythm and contribute with the bat or ball, he continued

With four fifties and a high score of 65, Salt has accumulated 387 runs in 12 innings throughout the current season at an average of 35.18 and a strike rate of 175.90. He is the second-highest run scorer for RCB. All four of his half-centuries have been scored while pursuing within six innings.

In addition to making 1,000 IPL runs, Salt also tied Travis Head (Sunrisers Hyderabad) for the second-fastest player to reach the milestone in 575 balls. The quickest player to ever do so was his former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) teammate Andre Russell, who did it in 545 balls.

Salt's 1,040 runs in 33 IPL games and innings came at an average of 34.66, with a strike rate of 175.67. He has ten fifties, with his highest score being 89*.

PBKS was reduced to 48/4 in the powerplay itself after RCB chose to bowl first, with Bhuvneshwar, Hazlewood, and Yash firing on all cylinders. Marcus Stoinis (26 in 17 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Azmatullah Omarzai (18 in 12 balls, with a four and a six) pushed PBKS to 101 in 14.1 overs.

The top bowlers for RCB were Josh Hazlewood (3/21) and Suyash Sharma (3/17), while Yash Dayal picked up 2/26 in four overs. One wicket was taken by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Romario Shepherd.

Although RCB lost Virat Kohli (12) and Mayank Agarwal (19) during the run-chase, Phil Salt (56* in 27 balls, with six fours and three sixes) and skipper Rajat Patidar (15*) led RCB to victory with eight wickets remaining in 10 overs.

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