Follow UsThe debate of 'club over country' will continue to get heated as Phil Salt, who flew back from England, just one day after the birth of his first child, to play the Indian Premier League (IPL) final for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which they won, has now asked for paternity leave from England’s three-match T20I series against West Indies, starting June 6 (Friday).
"Salt, who is taking time away on paternity leave following the birth of his child earlier this week, will now spend time at home," the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.
Jamie Smith, who had replaced Salt in England’s ODI squad, due to which the former was able to play in the playoffs and subsequently the final of the IPL, will now replace him in the T20I squad as well.
Earlier, after winning the maiden title for the RCB after a gap of 18 years, Salt had termed his newborn baby his lucky charm. In the post-match celebration, when he was asked whether the newborn was his lucky charm, Salt responded, “I've got a lucky charm now. I'm over the moon."
"It's an unbelievable feeling right now. I'll be honest with you, I don't quite know where I am at the minute. I've not had the most sleep, but [I'm] so proud of the boys,” he added, after scoring 16 off 9 and taking a mind-blowing catch to dismiss Priyansh Arya.
Virat Kohli, one of the biggest names in world cricket and Salt’s opening partner at RCB, after the victory had commented on his Instagram post, "Now go back to the real stuff and get ready for changing diapers."