IPL 2018 | Sam Billings excited to play with MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings

IPL 2018 | Sam Billings excited to play with MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings

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England opener Sam Billings, who was picked up by Chennai Super Kings for a base price of Rs. 1 crore at last month’s auction, can’t wait to learn from skipper MS Dhoni. Billings has admitted that he is a big fan of Dhoni’s style of play and is looking forward to playing with the veteran cricketer.

Billings, who has made a name for himself by playing the limited-overs version of the game, was part of the Delhi Daredevils outfit in the last edition of the Indian Premier League. However, at the recently concluded auction in Bangalore last month, Billings was bought by the Chennai Super Kings franchise who are returning to the IPL after serving a ban of two years.

Billings was ecstatic to learn that he will be under the leadership of former Indian skipper MS Dhoni who is set to continue as captain for the franchise. The 26-year old cricketer wanted to use this stint with CSK in the upcoming IPL as a chance to learn the finer points of the game from one of the best the game has ever seen.

"I'm extremely excited to play in such a great side and learn a lot from all the experienced players that we have. I am very much looking forward to working with (MS) Dhoni, someone whom I have admired as a player for a long time as we play in similar roles (keeper-bat)," Billings said off sources at PTI.

Billings, who operates as a specialist batsman for England on the international stage as Jos Butler keeps the stumps, is known for his athleticism on the pitch. The England opener has also admitted that there is pressure every time a player walked to the crease but that doesn’t mean one cannot enjoy themselves.

"Ultimately there's pressure every time you walk to the crease representing anyone. It's more exciting to be a part of this awesome franchise and play with and against the best players in the world," the 26-year-old said.

"That's why we play the game, to be a part of groups like this and play on the world stage, so I just see it as a hugely exciting and fantastic opportunity to showcase what I can do."

CSK have roped in former South Africa cricketer Eric Simons as a bowling consultant as a part of the support staff that already has Stephen Fleming as coach, Michael Hussey as batting coach and Lakshmipathy Balaji as bowling coach of the team.

The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to kick off on April 7 with CSK taking on defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

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