Legend 90 League: Opening with Dhawan was exhilarating, says Simmons
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Synopsis
Lendl Simmons shares his excitement about opening the innings with Shikhar Dhawan for Delhi Royals in the Legend 90 League, where they achieved a 41-run victory over Rajasthan Kings at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Lendl Simmons scored 87 runs off 39 balls.
- Formed a 60-run opening partnership with Shikhar Dhawan.
- Delhi Royals set a target of 195 runs.
- Bipul Sharma took 3 wickets for 18 runs.
- First win of the tournament for Delhi Royals.
Raipur, Feb 9 (NationPress) The former West Indies opener and T20 World Cup champion Lendl Simmons shared his thrill about starting the innings with Shikhar Dhawan for Delhi Royals in the Legend 90 League. Simmons was instrumental in the Delhi Royals clinching a 41-run victory over Rajasthan Kings on Saturday at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.
In his season debut, Simmons delivered a Player of the Match performance, scoring 87 off 39 balls, which included 12 fours and four sixes. Together with Dhawan, they formed a 60-run opening partnership in just 31 balls, establishing a solid foundation for Delhi Royals’ impressive total of 195/3 in 90 balls.
On his innings and the chance to open with Dhawan, Simmons remarked: "It was a great feeling opening with Shikhar Dhawan. He’s a top-quality player, and we complemented each other well at the crease. This Legend 90 League is a fantastic platform to relive competitive cricket, and it’s even better to have secured a win for Delhi Royals."
With Angelo Perera contributing an unbeaten 54 off 24 balls, the Royals set a challenging target. Subsequently, Bipul Sharma’s three-wicket haul (3-18) limited Rajasthan Kings to 154/4, marking Delhi Royals’ first win of the tournament.
Simmons, who was a vital part of the West Indies’ title-winning team at the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, expressed his happiness about returning to familiar territory.
"It’s always a good feeling being back in India. I love playing here because the conditions and pitches suit my game well," he stated.
Regarding the unique 90-ball format, Simmons acknowledged it was a new challenge but adapted swiftly.
"The format is a bit different, and this is my first time playing a 90-ball tournament. Initially, I wasn’t sure how to pace my innings, but I adjusted quickly, just like in T20 cricket, and it worked out well."
With the momentum on their side, Delhi Royals will aim to capitalize on this victory as the tournament progresses.
