JOIN USHis good looks and soft-spoken ways have already made English cricketer Sam Billings a favourite among the Indian Premier League (IPL) spectators. It is this warm reception from people during the matches that has impressed Sam, who is making his debut in the IPL this season with the Delhi DareDevils team.
Sam says for him, entering the IPL is not about making money but about getting to mix around with some of the best players from across the world. He confesses that he is soaking in every moment of his experience during the IPL both on and off the field.
He terms it as a ‘phenomena of sorts.’ “The IPL is the epicentre where some of the world’s best players conglomerate. You get to rub shoulders with some of the iconic players,” shares Sam.
The team is being mentored and trained by Rahul Dravid and young Sam says he admires Rahul for more reasons than one. “Rahul is a calm and cool person. He is a great influence on all of us. He has some very interesting insights to share about various aspects of the game. His sessions are thoroughly engaging,” he adds.
Sam believes that during the IPL, all the cricketers put rivalry aside. “We may be competing on the field but off it, we’re all close and spend a lot of time together, doing a host of things or just lazing around. The competition is only on the field,” observes Sam.
The 24-year-old wicket-keeper and batsman has had a strong grounding in cricket, coming from a family of cricketers. “My father and grandfather played active cricket during their time and now I’ve followed suit. I come from a family that was very active in the world of sports. As a kid, I used to go to all their matches,” he shares.
When Sam doesn’t have his gloves on, he prefers to wield the camera gifted to him by his girlfriend. “My girlfriend gifted me a camera before I set out on the IPL and asked me to take lots of pictures. I recently visited Agra and the Taj Mahal and took plenty of pictures,” he says. He adds that the many sights around him are so absorbing that he can’t help but keep clicking. “India is such a vibrant country and cricket only adds charm to the place and people.”
Sam confesses that he has found the perfect partner in his girlfriend because she understands his work and the pressures that comes with it. “It’s a blessing to have a supportive and encouraging partner. She will be joining me soon,” he shares.
When asked about shopping, Sam says, “I really don’t know what to buy, that’s why I am waiting for my family and girlfriend to join me. They are better at shopping and once they’re here, we hope to walk around the markets a little and pick up some interesting things to take back home,” he shares.