The Mumbai Indians’ overseas pairing of Lendl Simmons, playing his first game of VIVO IPL 2017, and Kieron Pollard, batted the Delhi Daredevils out of the game with their whirlwind batting. While he was surprised to see Pollard walk in to bat at No 3, Simmons was glad to have his team-mate from the national team at the other end. Opening the innings for MI, Simmons scored a 43-ball 66, while Pollard built on the momentum set by the opener with an unbeaten 35-ball 63. MI posted a mammoth 212-3, and then bundled out their opponents for 66, to register a record-breaking 146-run win. Post the match, the two Trinidadians faced the camera for iplt20.com and discussed each other’s performances and their team’s resounding win. In reply to Pollard’s question on how he had kept himself mentally fresh and prepared - despite warming the bench for more than a month, Simmons said he had been practicing hard and working on his fitness, knowing his opportunity would come. “I knew my opportunity would come some time. So (I was) just being myself today,” Simmons said. “I knew they have good fast bowlers, they have Zak [Zaheer Khan] who is very experienced, who will open the bowling. It was just a matter of time, of just picking the right balls ... [I had to] asses the wicket at first and then played my game, which is to tee off in the first six overs,” he explained. Pollard then quipped that he was the reason for Simmons' confident showing in his maiden outing this season. He explains, 'I gave him confidence last night by allowing him to beat me in FIFA so he could come out and perform for MI today.' But, Simmons quickly responded that Pollard should get ready for another beating tonight. When asked by his team-mate how he felt batting at No 3, Pollard said, “It’s a good feeling, felt like a Test batsman there to come out at No 3. (I was) speaking to Hardik (Pandya) & (he was) very much surprised.” Giving an insight into his contest against Amit Mishra, Pollard said, “(Amit) Mishra was trying to get my wicket. But as always, I was trying to go on the offensive once he comes in my half.” The two men from the Caribbean also shared a bit of banter, which showed the camaraderie they share. “When you got out I was very disappointed. I didn’t expect you get out at that point and after we had a good conversation in the middle,” Pollard told Simmons. Pollard also explained his approach to the innings; he said, “My game plan after that was just to try and bat deep. Rohit (Sharma) came in and (the plan was) not (to) lose another wicket in that over and then try to keep the momentum going. So at the end of the day thank you very much for taking the shine off the ball for me and making it a lot easier so that I can come and clear the ropes.” Commending Pollard’s efforts, but at the same time reminding him this performance had set a bar, Simmons said, “I must say from a batsman’s point of view that when you get the opportunity to bat early and when you get some balls for setting yourself you show what could happen. So hopefully when you again get an opportunity to bat up the order you know what to do – which is to give yourself a start and to blossom.” Before signing off, Simmons asks Pollard whether he would consider batting at number three regularly. To which the big-hitting batsman responded saying, “I am going back to the hotel and I am going to get my white clothes ready and put them underneath my Mumbai Indians clothes. So my technique will be right when I come out at No 3.” Watch the pair’s camaraderie on and off the field here.