Mumbai Indians’ campaign is running on similar lines to how they fared last season, where they lost the first five games before bouncing back by winning seven of the last nine and entering the playoffs. 

This season too they started off losing four of their first five before winning three in a row. But the job is only half done as they are placed seventh in the eight-team table with eight points from nine games.

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Opener Lendl Simmons feels they need to win all their remaining five games, beginning with the home encounter against Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday, to assert themselves in the competition.

“Every game from now on is a must-win game for us because we got off to a bad start (in the tournament) losing the first few games. So play every game as a final now and that is how we are taking it,” he said ahead of the Delhi clash. 

“I think we are going about it in a right way. We are getting a good start and our bowlers are coming to the party. So it is good thing for us.”

The 30-year-old Trinidadian has been key to Mumbai’s revival providing strong starts with scores of 71, 38 and 51 in their last three wins.

Simmons says he has taken a leaf out of the team’s mentor and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar’s book  in building his innings. 

“When you play shots on (along) the ground you get value for your runs. There are good and fast outfields and good batting tracks. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid… all those good guys came from here playing orthodox cricket, striking the ball on (along) the ground to score runs.”