Caribbean flavour has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL history. Kieron Pollard has made some outstanding contributions to the team every now and then; be it with the bat, ball, or even with his fielding efforts. And continuing that legacy, for the past two seasons, is Lendl Simmons.

He wasn’t the first choice foreign player for the team last season, but once he got his opportunity, Simmons made sure there was no way he would be dropped again. And he has repeated that again in the first half of the IPL 2015 already. With Aaron Finch being preferred over him, Simmons had to sit out for the first three games. But an unfortunate injury to Finch meant he got his chance, and the man from Trinidad has made the most of this opportunity yet again.

Simmons has already got two half centuries in the four games played so far, and, more importantly, both the half centuries have come in a winning cause. His 44-ball 59 enabled Mumbai Indians score 209 batting first, a total that eventually proved untouchable for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. His 42-ball 51 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, on Saturday, was equally crucial in Mumbai Indians being able to set a target that they could later defend.

Simmons doesn’t come across as a typical West Indian. Not six and half feet tall with broad shoulders. In fact, quite opposite to that. But that doesn’t stop him from smashing the bowlers into the second tiers. And he has shown that often in the season and half he has played in the IPL, so far.

Despite being an aggressive opener, Simmons has been remarkably consistent, with an average of 47.63, which is second only to Chris Gayle, and that too by just by .18. In the 12 games he has played for the Mumbai Indians, Simmons has crossed the 50-run mark on six occasions. That’s a half century every second game, which is simply outstanding in a format where a score of 30 is considered to be a good knock. And to do that at a strike rate of almost 130 is an achievement in itself.

In the current scenario, Simmons’ batting has also given Mumbai Indians the much needed depth. Because, Simmons’ success at the top allows skipper Rohit Sharma to bat at the No 4 position and control the middle-order. But for Simmons’ success, the pressure would have grown on Sharma to open the innings. His success also means that Mumbai Indians have made the most of the Power-play overs, something that they were unable to do in the first three games.

The Paltan would now hope that the West Indian continues his brilliant form in the second half of the tournament and sets the platform for big totals on a regular basis. And going by his form, not many would be willing to bet against it.