Chris Morris has been a package full of surprises for Indian Premier League 2021. The sequence of event goes like this.
- February 18: IPL 2021 mini auction.
An intense bidding war between the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings creates a new high for IPL player acquisition. Morris is bagged by Rajasthan Royals for an unprecedented ₹ 16.25 crore. The highest ever bid leaves cricket fans and experts in awe, considering the fact that the bowling all-rounder has been out of action since November 2000.
- The excellent ability to bowl in death overs was the prime attraction for the 33-year-old. But the all-rounder swings a big surprise – a bigger shock for Delhi Capitals, who helplessly witnessed a near certain win turned into an unbelievable defeat in the span of final two overs.
Morris turned the tables with an 18-ball 36 with the help of four massive sixes, including two off compatriot Kagiso Rabada.
- Believe it or not – Morris attributes those massive heaves to the skills acquired on golfing greens. Yes. Morris confessed that he could execute those big hits because of his golf swing skills.
“There’re guys that get paid to bat and guys that get paid to slog, and I know which I’m. That’s why I play so much golf,” Morris said.
Even the factor that inspired him to go all guns blazing is no less surprising. The man was upset with his captain Sanju Samson, and Delhi Capitals ended up paying the price.
He was denied an opportunity by Samson to finish their league opener against Punjab Kings as the skipper had declined to take a single when the team needed five runs off the last two balls. Samson failed to executive the required six off the last ball and Punjab won the match by four runs.
Morris minced no words while expressing his disappointment on being turned down from the half pitch.
“I was gonna run back no matter what because Sanju was hitting it so sweetly. People underestimate how fast I run. Sanju was hitting it like a dream that night. I wouldn’t have been too upset if he had hit the last ball for a six,” Chris Morris said.
As the Royals have still 12 more league games to go you never know what jaw-dropping moments this lanky Proteas can create.
For records, Virat Kohli’s ₹ 17 crore contract with Royal Challenger Bangalore exceeds the record pay package Morris has earned. But Kohli has reached the pinnacle with annual increments over the year. Morris’ ₹16.25 crore bid has bettered the previous mark of ₹ 16 crore Delhi Daredevils had committed to Yuvraj Singh.
