IPL 10: Rahul Dravid speaks about the mental aspect of the game, says Sam Billings

Delhi Daredevils have not had the best of times in the IPL 2017 thus far. Despite having a very strong lineup on paper, they have failed to hit consistency with their performances. Opener Sam Billings had come into the tournament with a big reputation. He, too, like other batsmen has failed to get the big scores consistently. Billings has only one fifty to his name this season in the 6 matches that he has played.

The Delhi camp have a very inexperienced batting lineup. Aditya Tare and Karun Nair are their most experienced batsmen after Angelo Mathews. However, to keep the youngsters calm in the dugout, they have the services of Rahul Dravid as their mentor. Recently, as per the quotes in Times of India, Sam Billings spoke about the role of Dravid in the team management.

He noted that the role of Dravid is more about the mental aspect of the game. He often keeps telling people to have a very positive mindset in the game. Billings likes to have interactions with Dravid.

“I think it’s more about the mental side of the game. It is not necessarily a technique thing. To play international cricket, in any case you need a solid enough technique to get to that point. It’s about the mindset. He speaks about having that patience so that you can catch up towards the end, just chatting to him about cricket,” quoted Sam Billings.

He further added that the former Indian cricketer is very friendly. It is very easy to speak to Dravid. The English cricketer remarked that Dravid helps the batsmen to plan out their innings. He helps them by figuring out the right bowlers to target when the chips are down for the team.

“What a great bloke he (Dravid) is. Easy to chat to. He chats about the mental side of the game, dealing with pressures on and off the field. He talks about different options, calculating which bowlers you can take down, simple things. People think it’s always gold dust, but sometimes it’s about just chatting, every now and then,” the DD opener quoted as per the quotes in PTI.

Also, he revealed that Dravid uses a lot of different drills in the practice. He keeps the stumps a foot deeper than the usual position in order to simulate the real match scenarios of the rough.

“Rather than batting on a decent track, Dravid just moves the stumps back so that the ball is pitching on the rough more. It’s turning a bit more. He is always trying to push your game to the next level. He is indeed a great man to have,” quoted Sam Billings.

Lastly, the opener conceded that he wishes to play Test cricket for England. He is expecting a central contract with the national side this year. However, he maintained that his ultimate aim is to play for England in Test matches.

“No doubt that I am capable of being a part of white-ball cricket in England, I am getting closer and closer. Hopefully, I will get a white ball contract, that’s the aim but firm aspirations are on playing Test cricket,” added Billings.

Talking about the two different franchise T20 leagues he has played in, Billings said that both the leagues are fantastic “The Big Bash League was fantastic. It was completely different type of cricket. Quick bouncy pitches with bowlers trying to bowl back of length. You can’t just do that In India where the ball stops at times. This makes you a more rounded player, learn to adapt to different situations.”

“I think IPL is fantastic. England came up with idea of Twenty20 and IPL took it to a different level. I feel blessed that we get paid to travel and experience different cultures and gather an experience of a lifetime.”