with KKR Needing 35 off 30 balls, Cummins scored 35 runs in an over from Daniel Sams to help KKR build home in style with 4 overs to spare. Cummins has a batting strike rate of 333.33 in the tournament, which is the best overall. The 28-year-old from Westmead, Sydney also equaled KL Rahul’s previous record for the fastest fifty ever in IPL (14 balls).
KKR wicket-keeper batsman Sam Billings Recently spoke to TimesofIndia.com on many topics and called Cummins a real all-rounder.
Sam Billings (Image credit: BCCI/IPL/PTI)
KKR are currently at the second position in the points table with 3 wins from 5 matches. The two-time champions will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 15 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, Sam Billings talks about Cummins, what it’s like to bat with him andre russell, Shreyas Iyer Captain and Batsman and many more.
The 30-year-old Englishman has so far scored 95 runs in 5 matches at an average of 23.75 in the tournament.
What’s it like to bat with Andre Russell, especially when he starts kicking the ball across the park?
Scary. He (Andre Russell) is phenomenal and one of the best in the world. He has incredible power. He is one of those players who, when on song, can turn the game on its head and take the pressure off the team. Sometimes he will bat and there will be times when other people need to bat around him. He is active and aggressive. What player should be in your team? He is simply wonderful.
Pat Cummins’ Whirlwind Knock vs Mumbai. Your on that…
Unprecedented. He turned out to be Andre Russell, didn’t he? (laughs). Cummins’ innings was one of the best ever. It was just incredibly striking. He is an all rounder. He bowls really well. He bowls at 90 mph and swings the ball both ways. But he is definitely an all-rounder.
Pat Cummins (Image Credit: BCCI/IPL)
You are someone who plays spin well. What makes you so good against spin?
I have been very fortunate that I had to face these situations. I have played a lot of cricket here. I enjoy playing different shots, reverse sweeps, sweeps. I like to put pressure on the spinners. Sometimes it doesn’t work but sometimes it does. I enjoy the challenges of high quality spin.
You know Shreyas Iyer very well. How would you define Shreyas as batsman and Shreyas as captain?
I am very impressed with Shreyas. His growth as a human being, player and captain has been phenomenal over the years. We played together (at Delhi Capitals) five-six years ago. She is very calm and very confident. He has great confidence in his abilities. He has an incredible work ethic.
Shreyas is very calm as a captain. He supports his players and gives them freedom. He is a natural leader. There is no doubt that he can lead many different teams for many years. He is a good friend of mine and he has influenced me a lot in terms of my development.