Ahead of the IPL 2020 opener between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Abu Dhabi on 19th September (Saturday), Australian hard-hitting batsman Chris Lynn hopes to “put some good performances on the board” for MI, while banking on his exploits at last year's T10 League in the UAE.
The opening batsman had a poor run at the recently-concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020, scoring less than 150 runs in 9 T20 games for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, but had a fabulous T10 tournament in the United Arab Emirates last year.
The 30-year-old was the highest run-getter with 371 runs for Maratha Arabians with the highest individual score of 91 off 30 balls in the last year’s T10 League and Australian batsman hopes to fire for the MI in the IPL 2020 banking on his exploits in the UAE-based franchise tournament.
Lynn said on MI’s Twitter handle, “I have got some really good memories from the T10 tournament last year here in Abu Dhabi, so hopefully just reconnect with what worked for me there and hopefully put some performances on the board.”
He further pointed out that being picked up by the best IPL franchise was indeed special and he is really excited to hopefully contribute MI to a couple of wins in the tournament.
The former Kolkata Knight Riders batsman further explained, “Being picked up for any team in the IPL is a privilege, but to go to probably the number one franchise in the IPL is something really special. The history speaks for itself. Their record speaks for itself, the players speak for themselves, how professional the franchise is, is something that I really look forward to. This is a new challenge now and I'm really excited to hopefully contribute to a couple of wins.”
With MI head coach Jayawardena already making it clear that he will not tinker with the opening combination of Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock, the Australian hard-hitter is ready to bat at any position that the latter deems fit for him in the IPL 2020.
Lynn further added, “Rohit! What a world-class player runs on the board, on and off the field what he's contributed to Mumbai is something really really special and Quinny has been outstanding with the gloves and bat in hand. So, if I can whizz in my way there, somewhere, and hopefully do a job, then that's awesome. But, at the end of the day, you're happy to bat at the top-order, middle order, wherever it may be, wherever Mahela sees fit.”
He signed off by saying, “But first and foremost, it starts with gelling with the team, on the training paddock, with Chappo (Paul Chapman), the trainer, getting some good sweat in the Abu Dhabi heat and really earn the right to go out there and score some runs.”
(With PTI Inputs)
