One of the five wicketkeeper-batsmen in the Delhi Daredevils squad, Sam Billings is one of the players who plays in the line-up as a specialist batsman. In the absence of Quinton de Kock, he has been entrusted with the role of opening the batting, while Rishabh Pant keeps wickets for the side.

Excited to fulfil a crucial role for the side at the top of the order, Billings said, “Quinton’s absence is a massive loss for us. He is a phenomenal player and one of the best in world cricket at the moment. I am looking to fill those big boots of his, and I have every confidence that I can do it. I have had a couple of decent starts without going on, but I am hoping to be able to fuel DD to wins.”

“We have a very exciting batting line-up this year as we saw the other night. So looking forward to it,” he adds.

Elaborating on his role in the DD camp, Billings says, “My role is to play my natural way and look to bat as long as I can to try and set it up for the power-hitters towards the end. The way I generally play, I bat for a substantial period of time (and) my strike-rate is similar to those power-hitters at the end. So I could always catch up. It’s just that last couple of games I haven’t got to that stage where I can express myself. I am looking forward to hopefully doing that tomorrow (against KXIP).”

Discussing DD’s largely young and inexperienced batting line-up, and his role in the team’s scheme of things, the 25-year old said, “I enjoy the responsibility. I am one of the old blokes in the top-order. It’s fantastic, we saw Rishabh Pant smack it all over the place. He is one of the best young cricketers in the world. Then there is Karun Nair who got 300 against England. Sanju (Samson), the way he played the other night, showed what he can do. Then we welcome back Shreyas (Iyer). We have got depth in our batting and I am really looking forward to it (games). Hopefully, like I said, I am (also) looking to making a decent contribution personally.”

In the two matches thus far, he has had to face former DD team-mate Imran Tahir and England team-mate Tymal Mills. Asked about the preparation and feeling while facing them Billings said, “I have played a lot with and against these guys now. I was disappointed to get out to Tahir the other night. I know him pretty well. Obviously, he was here (in DD) last year. It was a poor shot from me and he has now got one over me. But, yeah, it is a great experience. The IPL is one of the best leagues in the world and it gives you the opportunity to not only play with the best players but also against the best players and learn from those experiences.

“As for the preparation – we look into the footage of what everyone does and at the end of the day, it’s what you do and try and stick to your plans for different bowlers,” he added.

While he works on his batting and fielding, Billings does look to add to his wicket-keeping skills while in India. “I am not keeping here obviously. But at home, for my first-class county, I keep for every single game and I have kept for England once. I am looking to improve on that discipline while I am here. Like batting, keeping on the wickets here is quite different to home. I am looking forward to improving that as well.”

Speaking about his counterparts with regards to wicketkeeping, he explains, “I had a similar kind of conundrum for England. Jos Buttler (England wicketkeeper) is one of the best in the world as well (and) obviously has the gloves. So, for me as a player, I am trying to offer as much as I can; trying to be one of the best fielders in the side as well. Luckily, I bat and as well as my fielding helps me get into the side. You try and offer as much as you can to the team. Rishabh Pant has kept fantastically well for last two games as well; we are just trying to help each other out and help the team as much as I can.”

Like his team-mates, the influence of Rahul Dravid is something Billings looks towards to develop his skills. “Rahul Dravid is a calming influence on everyone I think. The experience that he has had throughout world cricket - both as a player and a coach - there is not many better blokes to have as your mentor. We are very lucky, very fortunate to have him,” he remarked.

As he looks forward to the rest of the season, Billings hopes to score more runs. “I think (one should) just enjoy the experience always. It’s a fantastic tournament like I said and I try to soak it up as much as possible. Obviously, I have got a bit more opportunity this year, especially at the top of the order and so I’m looking to make the most out of that,” he concluded.