Simmons ruled out of IPL; to be replaced by Guptill

Simmons injured his lower back, an injury that kept him out of the initial stages of World T20 as well.

Lendl Simmons during a practice session.

Mumbai Indians announced that their West Indian opener, Lendl Simmons, has suffered an injury and will be replaced by New Zealand’s Martin Guptill for the remainder of the IPL. During the match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday, Mumbai Indians coach Ricky Ponting said that the West Indies player has been ruled out and Guptill will replace him.

Guptill went unsold in the IPL auctions that were held in February. He has played in T20 leagues in West Indies (CPL), England (Natwest T20) and Australia (BBL).

Simmons injured his lower back, an injury that kept him out of the initial stages of World T20 as well. He later replaced Andre Fletcher in the West Indies squad.

In IPL 2015, Simmons had been Mumbai’s best batsmen scoring 540 runs in 13 matches at a strike-rate of 122.41 with six half-centuries.