Hard work at nets and improvisation in match behind Simmons success

Having not played for a while and being out of form as well, Mumbai Indians opener Lendl Simmons struck the right cords on Saturday against Delhi Daredevils. While there were nerves early on but Simmons, who made 66, said his preparation at the nets helped him overcome that phase.

“There was no pressure it was just that I hadn’t played couple of games and I knew I just had to wait for me my opportunity and just be ready. So I have been preparing accordingly, doing gym and keeping my fitness up and I made use of it,” said Man of the match Simmons.

Before the IPL, Simmons had a disastrous T20 series against Paksitan back home. The reason he gave for his failures seemed to make sense. “Well against Pakistan I didn’t open the batting, that is one thing and secondly, wickets are very good and I enjoy batting in india,” he said.

With Jos Buttler being dropped from the opening slot, it was important for Simmons to have some runs under his belt. “Ya I have been out of form for four months and I needed a score in front my name. It was important for me to score going into playoffs,” he said.

On his batting, Simmons said that improvisation was the need of the hour . “Yes it was important to improvise and also important not to lose my wicket. Zak is a very good bowler and I made sure not to lose my head against him. So I had to pick my bowlers and rotate the strike,” he said.