Lewis in strong return after three-month lull

CHENNAI, India (CMC):

Left-hander Evin Lewis secured his first taste of Indian Premier League action this season in a welcome boost to his form ahead of the ICC World Cup next month, when he turned out for Mumbai Indians in a 46-run victory over leaders Chennai Super Kings recently.

In his first knock in competitive cricket in almost three months, Lewis struck 32 off 30 balls to help push Mumbai up to 155 for four off their 20 overs.

Batting at number three, he notched three fours and a six and put on 75 for the second wicket with captain Rohit Sharma, who top-scored with 67 off 48 deliveries with six fours and three sixes.

Lewis was last Wednesday included in West Indies’ 15-man World Cup squad despite not having played a One-Day International in nine months.

A big-hitting opener, he averages 32 in 35 matches following his debut three years ago against Pakistan.

Fellow Trinidadian and West Indies player Kieron Pollard finished on 13 not out in a 33-run, unbroken fifth-wicket stand with Hardik Pandya (23 not out).

Another Trinidadian, former Windies captain Dwayne Bravo, went wicket-less from four overs of medium pace, which cost 35 runs.

In reply, CSK faltered for 109 all out in the 18th over, Sri Lanka pace sensation Lasith Malinga ripping through the innings to end with four for 37.

Opener Murali Vijay top-scored with 38 while Bravo chipped in with 20 at number seven, but they were only two of three players to reach double figures.