In a short span of two games, Mumbai Indians’ Lendl Simmons has made an impression and the opening batsman says he wants to hit a fifty in every outing to enhance his team`s chances of reaching the IPL play-offs.
Simmons (68) along with Ambati Rayudu (68) put on 130 runs for the second wicket as Mumbai chased down a 158-run target comfortably against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“As a team, we would want to win all the games and qualify for the playoffs. I want to do my part for the team by giving a good start and scoring with a good strike-rate. I want to score a half-century in every game and get my team off to a flier at the top of the innings,” said Simmons.
Mumbai are struggling at sixth position in the points table in the eight-team tournament with just three wins from nine matches, and they now need to win their remaining matches to qualify for the play-offs.
Simmons said his plan was to launch an all-out attack from the word go in the upcoming matches.
“I am the aggressor and I like to take the attack to the bowlers. That is how I see my role. In the games to come, I will try and make sure I attack right from the beginning,” he said.
Simmons, who plays at different positions for the West Indies, said he was enjoying his role as an opening batsman for Mumbai Indians.
“I have batted in a number of positions for the West Indies, and at the moment, I am batting at No.3 for my national side. Having said that, I enjoy opening the batting and take it is as a nice challenge. I have opened with CM Gautam in the two games I have played so far and it is good to have a classy batsman on the other side,” he said.
“Actually, the Mumbai Indians were always clear of my role and responsibilities and they knew that I was an opening batsman. I am open to batting at any other position that the team wants me to, but it feels nice to bat at the top of the innings,” Simmons said.
