England opener Phil Salt has set his sights on becoming the world’s number one T20 batter as he prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Currently ranked second in the ICC T20 rankings behind India’s Abhishek Sharma, Salt is determined to overtake him. The 29-year-old has an impressive record for England, with four centuries in 50 T20 internationals, an average of 38.5, and a strike rate of 168.
Salt, who scored a career-best 141 not out against South Africa last summer, admitted he admires Sharma’s style but wants to surpass him. “I’d like to catch him. I’d like to go past him in the rankings. That’s been my goal for a while,” he said. He also praised Sharma’s ability to hit the first ball for six and his aggressive approach.
The right-hander has played in two T20 World Cups for England, winning the title in 2022 and reaching the semi-finals in 2024. He considers the T20 World Cup the pinnacle of his career and is eager to play a key role this time. “I want to play in as many of these as possible. I think this is the tournament that stands above the rest,” Salt added.
England begin their campaign against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8, after a three-match T20 series in Sri Lanka. Salt is confident in England’s chances but acknowledges the challenge posed by co-hosts India. “I think everyone’s going to need a bit of luck to beat India. They are by far and away the strongest team in the World Cup,” he said.
Having been out of the starting line-up for much of the 2022 triumph, Salt is motivated to make a bigger impact this time. “That’s a massive source of motivation for myself. Hopefully, I start this one in the team and put a stamp on it,” he said. He aims to help England top their group and then focus on the knockout stages.
