They say that the Indian Premier League is the first step to achieving your full potential as an international cricketer. Take Englishman Sam Billings for example. A few years ago, Billings was too nervous to take a picture with former Indian skipper Mahindra Singh Dhoni, but come April, he will be playing alongside him during the 11th edition of the IPL.
They say that the Indian Premier League is the first step to achieving your full potential as an international cricketer. Take Englishman Sam Billings for example. A few years ago, Billings was too nervous to take a picture with former Indian skipper Mahindra Singh Dhoni, but come April, he will be playing alongside him during the 11th edition of the IPL.
The piece of information was shared by a fan site of the Chennai Super Kings and subsequently retweeted by the official CSK site.
Billings, a wicketkeeper, previously played for Delhi Daredevils, had last year said his interaction with players from other leading nations during IPL Twenty20 matches for the Delhi Daredevils convinced him of a new-found respect for his country's limited-overs prowess.
"The best thing about the IPL is you share a dressing room with these guys and previously in this country we haven't made one-day cricket a priority as such, but people are petrified of our side now," Billings told British media.
"It was very interesting to hear what other internationals think of our side," said Billings, who has been given an opportunity to impress in his wicketkeeping role in 50-over matches against Ireland on Friday and Sunday. "There is a buzz around the reputation of the England team in white-ball cricket... it's amazing to think about that transition from two years ago."
Earlier, after hectic bidding, frantic phone calls, and occasional chiding from the auctioneer, the eight teams are all stacked up ready to take part in the biggest domestic cricket league of the world. From bizarre to business-like decisions, from emotional buying to curt rejections of old favourites, we witnessed everything during the sale of 170 players who alongside 17 pre-retained stars will take part in IPL 11.
In the final analysis, RCB, SRH, CSK, MI and DD managed to build formidable units. RR and KXIP showed lot of intent but missed out some key tricks. KKR was the clear under-performer in the auction and while cricket is a funny game, it would be extremely difficult for SRK's unit to be competitive.
So far KKR and KXIP haven't announced their captains.
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 "Sam Billings previously played with Delhi Daredevils")
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