South African bowling all-rounder Chris Morris's Indian Premier League CV is quite long. He has been part of four different teams during his eight season-long career in the league. He is also no stranger to big fat paychecks—when he made his IPL debut in 2013, Chennai Super Kings bought him for USD 625,000. Three years later, he touched the $1 million mark when he moved to Rajasthan Royals. This was followed by stints at Delhi Daredevils and its current avatar Delhi Capitals as well as the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The experienced campaigner—Morris has played 70 matches so far—is back "home"with RR for the upcoming 2021 season after becoming the most expensive overseas player bought in the IPL auction held in February this year. RR, with a new captain and cricket management led by former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakarra, outbid everyone to bag Morris for a whopping $2.2 million or Rs 16.25 crore.
Morris is in India for the new IPL season starting April 9. Currently undergoing the mandatory quarantine in Mumbai, Morris admits he is bored. But he is itching to get back on to the field. He isn't too bothered about his price tag; he feels the cricket will speak for itself. Speaking to media in a virtual meet on Tuesday, Morris said, "I think it's natural to have a little bit of added pressure when something like that has happened. I'd be lying to you if there wasn't any pressure. Fortunately enough, in the past I have been coming in with quite big bucks on my head. So, at the end of the day you have to get on to the cricket ground and perform no matter what price tag you have got. At the end of the day, you need to perform as well as you can to win a game for your team."
Morris's real value lies in his exciting lower order finishes with the bat as well as his death bowling abilities. A fast medium pacer with an economy rate of under 8 and a batting strike rate of 157.87, Morris adds balance and value in every team. And if you are the Rajasthan Royals then, with the addition of one of the best all-rounders in world—Ben Stokes—it becomes an enviable line up. Speaking about his role in his old-new team, Morris said that Stokes and he have vastly different roles. "Stokesy opens the batting. He is one of the best all-rounders in the world. His role is up at top of order. I'm mostly a lower order batter; my role is to finish off the games. I would like to contribute more with the bat this year. Stokes has the magic touch when it comes to cricket! We'll be feeding off each other. We'll be quite interesting duo to come up against. He's looking after top half, I am looking after the bottom half."
His workload, too, will increase in the absence of injured pacer Jofra Archer who had to return home to undergo a surgical procedure on his right hand as well as to take care of an elbow injury. Speaking about the additional workload, Morris set aside any concerns saying, "Every team I have been with, my role has been bowling with the new ball and at the death. It's a big loss, missing Joffra for the first half. My role doesn't really change. It won't be a new role if I am supporting another quick bowler either."
Post the 2020 season, which was held in the UAE, and which saw RR finishing seventh, the coaching structure underwent a massive change. Head coach Andrew McDonald decided to part ways with the franchise; Kumar Sangakarra was brought in as director of cricket "responsible for seeing entire cricketing ecosystem of RR, including coaching structure, auction plans and team strategy". Trevor Penny was appointed lead assistant coach. Morris admitted that he is yet to have an interaction with Sangakarra but he has been in touch with management of the franchise and other coaches.
Asked about settling in with yet another IPL franchise and what has the past IPL seasons taught him, Morris described the tournament as a life-changing experience. "It's been a little bit of a roller coaster. Naturally, in sport there are more downs than ups. I have obviously been disappointed in the past due to injury. These things happen. I have tried my best to combat that. But IPL has been an unbelievable experience for me. Anyone who plays will tell you that. The opportunity to play in front of crowds, to play in probably the second biggest stage (after internationals) in the world in terms of cricket. I have done that for as as long as I have. It's been an incredible journey. Every time you come to IPL, your life changes whether it's personal, cricket, anything. I have nothing but gratitude, and humility to play with guys I have watched growing up; the world's best cricketers coming together. It's been an absolute blast of of a journey so far. Hopefully, there is a new story to be written in the next nine weeks!"
Along with the changes in team and coaches, Morris will also have a new captain at RR—explosive batsman-wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. Morris is not perturbed by being led by a young and new skipper, having shared the dressing room with Samson in Delhi earlier. "I have got a very good relationship with Sanju. I have played with him earlier in RR and Delhi. I don't see Sanju as a young captain. The guy has a very good cricket brain. For a guy who can keep wickets and sees different angles standing behind the stumps, I am sure we can discuss tactics. He is a good man who wants to win. It will be be interesting to see what he has got for us. It's exciting—a new captain. I'll be giving him 100 per cent support."
The key for Morris to be true to his potential and price tag will be remaining injury-free this season. He hasn't had many T20 matches under his belt coming into the IPL. However, he feels physically fit and is raring to go. "Lack of playing time has been a bit of an issue. But, at the end of the day, it's about staying sharp, and keeping my mind fresh by watching cricket. That's the nature of the beast given the times we are living in. There's not much cricket going around, unless it's professional or international. I am only playing in one of the formats. So, it's been challenging. I have been doing everything I can to stay as fit as possible. Injuries are part of the game. I have been on the unlucky side of it. My preps have been good, but the injuries came at the wrong time. Last year was a bit different—there's a lot of soft tissue injuries, torn muscles because of lack of cricket before IPL last year. I have done everything to stay cricket fit," said Morris.
