‘Fantastic Four’ impresses Billings

kolkata — England limitedovers opener Sam Billings cannot help gushing over the quartet of highly talented Indian players he shares the dressing room with in Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Daredevils, even though they are currently at the bottom of the table.

The Kent-born is firm in his belief that Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer are the most exciting young players India have produced in the recent past.

“Samson, Nair and Pant are the most exciting young players India have produced,” Billings, part of England’s 15-member Champions Trophy squad, told IANS in an interview.

“Shreyas Iyer as well. They are four fantastic players. Karun had a bit more exposure to international cricket with obviously a 303 ... Sanju has lit up the IPL. He has scored a brilliant hundred this year. Rishabh is an amazing talent as well.

“Shreyas scored a double hundred in one of the warm-up games against Australia,” said Billings, who has played nine One-Dayers and 10 T20 Internationals for England.

Young wicketkeeper-batsman Pant has produced a few good performances with the bat this year.

The 19-year-old’s 16-ball 38 against Kolkata Knight Riders at home was a high point of his season along with the 36-ball 57 versus Royal Challengers Bangalore that reaffirmed the potential of the southpaw, who debuted for India this February. —