Mumbai Indians batsman Lendl Simmons hailed Indian Premier League (IPL) as the best Twenty20 tournament in the world, adding that the cash-rich league is the best platform where a cricketer can prove one’s worth.
“IPL is the biggest and best Twenty20 tournament. And there’s no better way out than proving yourself and proving one’s worth at the IPL,” said Simmons.
Simmons praised A.B. de Villiers’ effort on Sunday, saying “he is a world class player who is someone out of this world”.
“AB is a world class player. We see that at different levels, in Test cricket and One-Day-International (ODI) cricket. It doesn’t matter what format he plays, he is still a world class player.
“He is someone out of this world. When he finishes with the game of cricket, everyone will remember him,” the West Indian said.
Simmons has been consistent with the bat this IPL season, scoring 345 runs from nine games at an average of 43, which include four half-centuries, highlight being 71 off 56 balls against Kings XI Punjab.
Speaking on his good run, Simmons said, “It’s just about getting good start to my innings. I do what it is required off me. I want to get my team off to a good start and in a good position.
“So far things are going good for me and I hope to deliver for Mumbai back again in the upcoming matches.”
The 30-year-old has taken some spectacular catches in the ongoing IPL, most recently against Delhi Daredevils when he pulled off a one-handed stunner at backward point to dismiss Yuvraj Singh.
“It’s about getting the ball into the hands properly and holding onto it. You drop some easy ones and catch some hard ones, that’s how the game goes,” he said.
The Trinidad-born cricketer said he learned a lot by watching legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid play in Indian conditions, and added he tries to emulate some of their skills in the IPL.
“I have watched Tendulkar and Dravid play in the previous IPL. I have learned a lot and try to emulate their skills at the start of an innings.
“Like when you play in the first six overs it’s about hitting the ball in the gaps and getting valuable runs,” he said.
