England's rising young talented batsman, Tom Banton, is looking forward to his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) stint in UAE, where he says he is genuinely "excited" over the prospect of rubbing shoulders with Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) mainstay all-rounder Andre Russell.
Banton, impressing one and all with his exploits playing for Somerset in the Vitality T20 Blast last year, was picked at the IPL 2020 auction by KKR for INR 1 crore.
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"I'm particularly excited to play alongside Andre Russell and Pat Cummins. I watched Andre last year, and he played really well. Learning from someone like him will be really cool," Banton was quoted as saying at KKR's website.
The 21-year-old made his England white-ball debut last winter and has since featured in three T20Is. Overall, Banton's 34 T20s have seen him strike the ball at a magnificent rate of 157.33.
At KKR, Banton will also have the chance to catch up with the likes of Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shubman Gill, who all played the 2018 U-19 World Cup for India in New Zealand.
Banton was playing for England U-19 in the tournament that India eventually won, with Gill ending as the second-highest run-getter and Nagarkoti, Mavi raising eyebrows with their pace and hostility at such a young age.
"There are a few guys of my age — (Shivam) Mavi, (Kamlesh) Nagarkoti and Shubman (Gill) — whom I have played against when I was younger. It would be great to see them again," Banton said.
"I remember the Indians were a lot better than all of us in the (2018 Under-19) World Cup. I look up to those guys even now, and I am still good friends with some of them. Playing alongside Shubman at KKR will be pretty nice and I am really looking forward to it."
"Honestly, just being part of the IPL is something I have been dreaming of since a very young age. I have been watching IPL every year. I have literally been glued to the IPL from the very first games in the years when it started."
Banton, who took interest in hockey before turning to cricket, said playing that sport helped him develop those innovative shots before making the switch.
"I guess it probably comes from playing hockey. I was a drag flicker and used to play reverse there quite often. My dad used to play hockey and I kind of followed his footsteps," he said.
"I was 16-year-old, when things were getting more serious and I had to pick one sport and that's when I chose cricket."
With his style of play, people have been comparing Banton with England great Kevin Pietersen. But the youngster refuses to be drawn into those talks.
"He (Pietersen) is one of the greatest players to have played from England. I have watched him while growing up and he was definitely an idol of mine. But honestly, I don't like to think so much, otherwise, you get too far ahead of yourself," he said.
(Inputs from PTI)
