Tuesday 3 May 2016 13:12, UK
Sam Billings struck 54 off 34 balls on his IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils, a performance which England batting coach Mark Ramprakash hailed as 'exceptional'.
Billings has struggled for regular cricket of late, kept out of a high-performing England side that reached the World T20 final, and a Delhi team with overseas talent like Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and Carlos Brathwaite keeping him on the bench.
It's what made Billings' performance - in place of the under-the-weather Duminy - in Delhi's 27-win over the Kolkata Knight Riders all the more impressive.
"It was a huge ask for Sam to come in and play as fluently as he did, against a top attack," said Ramprakash ahead Delhi's Tuesday's clash with Gujarat Lions. "He has the ability, but when you haven't played any matches for quite a period of time, it becomes very difficult.
"Sam's great asset is that he's young, fresh, and doesn't really have any fear. He goes out there and gives it a crack - whether he gets out first ball or makes fifty, he is going to enjoy himself come what may.
"He didn't look rusty at all. It's really pleasing to have English players involved in the tournament, and when they play well - excelling on the world stage - you're very happy about that.
"There is very healthy competition in the England one-day side, there are a number of batsmen who could play for England, and bat in several different positions.
"Sam is a very adaptable cricketer, and his innings showed that. He came in in the fifth over, inside the powerplay, so he can play very good orthodox cricket shots, but he also has the improvisation of a Jos Buttler. He really could bat anywhere for England, he's that skilful."
Billings came to the crease with Delhi in trouble at 32-3, but put on 105 for the fourth wicket with Karun Nair - who also struck fifty - with his expert play of spin standing out.
Experienced IPL and international spinners, Sunil Narine, Brad Hogg and Piyush Chawla were taken for 85 runs from the combined nine overs.
"That's what makes his innings so impressive," added Ramprakash. "His team were in trouble, yet he stayed true to what he is very good at.
"His play against spin was exceptional - he came down the wicket, attacked Narine, Hogg, but also used the depth of his crease very well and knocked the ball around nicely.
"Reading Sam's body language at the wicket, he looked like he was having great fun, he seems to have a very nice rapport with Nair, there was a lot of smiling and laughing between the two.
"The Delhi franchise is one that is not particularly fancied, not one of the favourites, and therefore perhaps it's allowing the team to go out and just enjoy the competition, enjoy the occasion - that certainly fits for Sam."
Although Billings doesn't currently occupy a permanent spot in the England side, further opportunities to display his talent in the IPL could see that change - starting with Delhi's game against the Gujarat on Tuesday.
"The Delhi selectors should be very seriously considering letting him play now," said Ramprakash. "He gave some energy to the team and was very assured.
"Sam understands that he may not play every match, but he is the sort of character that when he does get the opportunity to play, he will back himself.
"He committed to his shots so well, there was no indecision - that's very important in T20, you need to be very certain in what you're trying to do.
"There is some very healthy competition among the Delhi overseas players, but Sam has certainly given the selectors something to think about."
Watch the Delhi Daredevils take on the Gujarat Lions from 3pm on Sky Sports 3 on Tuesday.
