KKR have got two X-factors, Sunil Narine and Phil Salt who are very destructive and dangerous: Michael Clarke

In the KKR vs DC clash, Phil Slat starred with 68 off 33 and caught the attention of cricket experts and fans. Michael Clarke came forward to laud Salt and his intent in the ongoing IPL.

Speaking exclusively to Star Sports Cricket Live, former Australia cricketer Michael Clarke spoke about Phil Salt’s batting performance. “Yeah, it doesn't hurt Phil Salt. He'll be very happy with his performance tonight. He's been very good, there's no doubt about it. Again, he can find those boundaries, in just the 33 balls. He's had a really good IPL so far and he's such an important player for KKR.

Like I say, it’s not just about the runs he's scoring, but it's also about the way he's scoring them. With that positive intent, he plays his spinners pretty well, very aggressive to the quicks. And when someone like him is in form, he's that X factor. He's that player that can really make a lot of difference a lot of teams have got at least one of those players in their top three or four. KKR's got two, they've got Narine and Salt who are very destructive and very dangerous.”

Varun Aaron spoke about Varun Chakravarthy’s bowling performance last night. “The way Varun bowled today, he swung things in favour of KKR at home. He took all three very important wickets, including the captain. He bowled with a lot more flight, let the ball turn, and didn't bowl that flat like he was bowling in previous matches. He really needed this performance to boost his confidence, as he himself acknowledged after the presentation.

Until now, he hadn't been having the best tournament. It's crucial for any team eyeing the playoffs and the title to have all their players performing at their peak, and that's precisely what's happening with Rajasthan. Every player is chipping in at different times, Jurel chipped in last night. Similarly, KKR would want all of their players to get the confidence going before they eventually qualify, which I think they will.”

Michael Clarke spoke on Mumbai's chances of making it to the play-offs. He said "Yeah, I don't know. I think it's wishful thinking for Mumbai this entire IPL. I think there's a lot more going on than what we are seeing on the outside and you can't have that many good players and perform this inconsistently. So I think there are different groups inside that changing room and something is not working, they are not gelling together, and they are not playing as a team. Individual brilliance can get them over the line, if Rohit Sharma comes in and gets another hundred or Hardik does something with the bat, or Bumrah bowls like a genius again, you never know. I think to win big tournaments you need to be a team and not just have individual performances, unfortunately, they haven't played well as a team so I hope they turn it around, but I can't see them winning this game."

Clarke spoke on how the IPL allows coaches to train young players like how Ponting was teaching Angkrish Raghuvanshi after the match. 'I think Ponting is teaching him how to play the pull shot. Just reading his technique, Ponting was great at playing the pull shot. I think that's one of the great things about the IPL. You see a lot of players getting together and talking after the game. And when you've got that opportunity to do that with a young player, I think it's fantastic. Either it's the player who approaches the coach or the other way around. So it's really great to see that."