Mumbai: England batsman Sam Billings who played a match-winning innings of 93 against India A to spoil Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s swansong as a captain here Tuesday said Wednesday that tips from Rahul Dravid has helped him improve his technique against the spinners. Billings played for Delhi Daredevils in the last edition of the IPL with Rahul Dravid as the coach of the team.
“It’s (IPL stint) definitely going to help (in the upcoming series). My footwork against spin improved just in the six weeks I was in India working with Rahul Dravid, one of the best players ever to play the game. It’s an amazing experience and one I would like to have again,” Billings said.
“Spin is to play a massive part in the upcoming limited overs series; (Ravi) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja are the best in the world as well. However, we have got quite a few guys with lots of experience of playing in India,” the Kent batsman added.
Billings described Dhoni as a hero not only in India but across the world.
He’s a hero around India and definitely he must have a huge fan following around the world. What a great career he has had just as a captain! Showed Tuesday with the bat that plenty of cricket is left in him,” Billings pointed out.
In spite of his knock, Billings knows that he may not make it to the final XI more so with the return of Joe Root and Ben Stokes. But he is not unduly bothered. “I don’t brood on such matters. My aim is to make every innings successful and then leave the rest to the seniors and selectors,” he candidly said.
PTI
