Child prodigies do not always deliver when they reach big boys' cricket. Nor are they guaranteed to do so with quite such immediacy as Quinton de Kock has managed.
This time last year, in-the-know South Africans and avid followers of international age-group cricket recognised the wicketkeeper-batsman as a star in the making.
Even so, his ascent has been remarkably swift.
His first year in senior international cricket was an annus mirabilis, culminating with 112 against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi in November, then three consecutive limited-overs centuries against India.
So, maybe this time around, people will know who he is at the IPL.
"I don't think they clap for me," De Kock, then a bolter for Sunrisers Hyderabad, said in an interview with the league's website during his debut season last year.
"I am not well known here. If I walk with Dale Steyn or some other player from the team whom the people love, then everybody cheers for him or asks for a picture or an autograph.
“But I am really happy to see the support that our team receives in our home ground.”
De Kock’s hat-trick of centuries against India was well timed as it immediately drove up his value ahead of the IPL auctions.
Delhi Daredevils beat Kings XI Punjab in the bidding, eventually investing about $635,000 (Dh2.3 million) in securing his services.
That money has bought them one of the most highly regarded young players in the game.
De Kock, who went to the same school as Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain, has been touted for big things since his time with the Proteas under 19s.
He was the most prolific batsman at that level of the game until his feats were bettered by Sami Aslam during the Pakistan opener’s final days in age-group cricket in Dubai earlier this year.
Since graduating to the senior game, De Kock has harnessed his free-spirited shot-making. His conversion rate so far has been remarkable, with four, 50-over international tons.
He has impressed the former Proteas opener Herschelle Gibbs, whose game de Kock’s is supposed to resemble most.
“His shot selection is really good,” Gibbs said. “But his power play is as good as his touch play, which is what you need to score hundreds.
“He likes the game going forward and is not shy to hit boundaries, even in the middle period. He has got all the shots and all the understanding. The more he plays, the more he will learn.”
pradley@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
