IPL: Overseas stars who had a dream debut for CSK
In sports, it is a dream for all the players to have a memorable debut. And the IPL is no exception. The most popular IPL franchise, the Chennai Super Kings are known for their fearless brand of Cricket. They are the most consistent franchise in the IPL history, with eight playoff appearances in as many seasons.
Over the years, many International stars have played under the banner. Some of them have stamped their authority right from their first game for the Yellow Army.
Let us now look at some of those players who have had a dream debut in the Chennai colors.
#3 Sam Billings
The English wicket-keeper batsman played two seasons for the Delhi Daredevils- in 2016 and 2017. Billings, who plays for Kent in the domestic circuit has also played in the Big Bash League and Pakistan Super League. He is an experienced T20 campaigner and an explosive batsman who can score runs at a quick pace. He has represented England in 17 T20 international matches and has scored 205 runs at a strike-rate of 134.87, with his highest score being 53. After being released by the Delhi Daredevils prior to the 2018 IPL auctions, he was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 1 crore. It was a bargain buy for Chennai considering Billings' batting prowess in the shorter formats.
The Chennai Super Kings returned to the IPL after a two-year hiatus in 2018 and they encountered Mumbai in the season opener at the Wankhede stadium. But Billings did not get an opportunity in that game. In the next game against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 10, Sam Billings made his debut for Chennai. Chasing 202-6 for the victory, it was Billings who anchored Chennai's chase with a fabulous 56(23), which included two boundaries and five towering sixes. Eventually, Chennai won the match by five wickets with a ball to spare. Billings was the Man of the match for his scintillating half-century in his first game in Chennai colors. Indeed, a memorable debut for the Englishman.