IPL 10: Sam Billings picks India's next Fantastic four

Delhi Daredevils batsman Sam Billings has had a decent season in the IPL thus far. He has not been at his prime best but has shown his spirits in the matches that he has played thus far. Sadly for him and his franchise, the Daredevils languish at the bottom of the points table. Despite the string of defeats, the team morale and atmosphere still remains to be relaxed and easy.

Recently, the English batsman spoke at the length about his time with the Delhi roster in the tournament. He also revealed that the young batting brigade of the Daredevils has the potential to become the legends of the future. The DD camp boasts of a heavy young Indian contingent of batsmen. Sam Billings is definitely good friends with all of them.

In a conversation with IANS, Sam Billings remarked that Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer are the players for the future in the Indian team. He called them as the ‘fantastic four’ of the Indian cricket. Karun has had a quiet season in the IPL but his batting prowess was at the display when he hit a Test triple ton. Rishabh Pant has already announced himself in the tournament with a fifty to his name against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Talking about Shreyas Iyer, Billings pointed out that the Mumbai batsman is capable of being a good player and had scored a brilliant double ton against Australia in a warm-up fixture. Sanju Samson has been a perennial performer who hit an IPL 10 this year.

“Samson, Nair and Pant are the most exciting young players India have produced. Shreyas Iyer as well. They are four fantastic players. Karun had a bit more exposure to international cricket with obviously a 303 … Sanju has lit up the IPL. He has scored a brilliant hundred this year. Rishabh is an amazing talent as well. Shreyas scored a double hundred in one of the warm-up games against Australia. They are just fantastic talents and great guys to hang out with as well,” quoted Sam Billings.

The Delhi camp has young batsmen in the lineup. They might be short on experience but there is no dearth of experience in the dugout. They have the services of Rahul Dravid as their mentor. Billings remarked that the youngsters are privileged to work with a legend like Dravid.

“What a great bloke to have in the dressing room and have the privilege to be coached by him. We are honored to be having him in the dressing room. I just enjoy talking to him, whether it’s about life or cricket. He is very calm like I said and offers his insight and has lots of experience,” quoted the English batsman.

Speaking about his experience at the IPL this year, Billings expressed his happiness about being the part of the tournament. He is pleased to have got this opportunity to play in a tournament like the IPL and rub shoulders with the best in the business.

“It’s been a great experience. The passion for the game in India is second to none. It’s been a great opportunity to come over and play in this great competition. It has got the best coaches in the world, the best players in the world. I have always loved coming and playing in India,” Sam Billings said.

Despite all the talented youngsters in the lineup, the results have not been going in Delhi’s way this season. Billings believes that it is only about getting their act together. All matches have gone down the wire and they could have easily been at the higher places in the points table had they got their combinations and actions right.

“We have got talent in the dressing room. It’s just about putting things right. We are not far away. We’ve been in contention in every single game. I would like to say we’ve lost the games as opposed to being beaten. It’s just one of those things. It’s Twenty20 cricket where if you take your foot off the gas, people will punish you. We have been dominant in all of the games, just haven’t crossed the line,” conceded Billings.