Need to perform no matter what the price tag is: Morris

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League is around the corner, all eyes will be on South African speedster Chris Morris who was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping sum of $2.25 million at the players’ auction in February 2021.

Morris, the most expensive player in the history of the tournament, looking forward to a new season and gearing up for leading RR’s pace attack in the absence of injured Jofra Archer. The England speedster was ruled out of the first half due to an elbow injury he suffered during the recently concluded England’s tour of India.

During a virtual press conference on Tuesday, Morris said that leading the team’s pace attack will be an added responsibility but it doesn’t change his role in the team, the Hindustan Times reported.

“Every single team that I have played in the IPL, my role has been with the new ball and at the death. That doesn’t really change. I have always had fast bowlers in the team and I’ve been there supporting act,” Morris said.

“It won’t be a new role if I am leading an attack, won’t be new if I am supporting. There is a little bit of responsibility when it comes to leading the attack. But like I said, since it wouldn’t be able to be alien to me,” he added.

Talking about the pressure that comes with such an expensive price tag, Morris said “I think it’s natural to have a little bit of pressure when something like that has happened. I’d be lying to you if there wasn’t any pressure but fortunately enough in the past, I have been coming in with quite a big price tag on my head. At the end of the day, you need to perform, no matter what the price tag is.”

Humbled to have gone for such a high price tag, Morris said that seeing so many teams interested in his services is a confidence booster.

“I didn’t expect to be bought for that much and so many teams to employ my services. It’s humbling, I never thought I’d be playing these many IPLs,” said Morris.

Pant to lead Delhi Capitals in Iyer’s absence: On the day Rishabh Pant was announced as their new skipper, members of the Delhi Capitals team undertook their first nets session ahead of the Indian Premier League 2021 that begins on April 9.

The nets, held at the Cricket Club of India here, were also attended by top players like pace bowler Ishant Sharma, batsman Ajinkya Rahane, pacer Umesh Yadav and leg-spinner Amit Mishra.

Both Ishant and Mishra are returning after their IPL 2020 season was hampered due to injuries. The two had to pull out. Both are fit with Ishant, who missed the trip to Australia, proving his fitness during the recent Test series against England. He also played his 100th Test during the series.

Delhi Capitals were the finalists last season. They had lost to Mumbai Indians in the final by five wickets. They will miss their regular skipper Shreyas Iyer, who is out due to a shoulder injury sustained during India’s first One-day International against England last Tuesday.

“Members of the Delhi Capitals’ squad and support staff took part in their first nets session on Tuesday evening at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai,” said a statement from the franchise on Tuesday.

Delhi Capitals will take on Chennai Super Kings in their first match of the new season, at the Wankhede Stadium on April 10.

While head coach Ricky Ponting is undergoing quarantine, former India batsman and Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Amre took care of the charges on the first day. Almost all the players attending the nets were Indian players.

Ponting said that recent successes against Australia and England will give Rishabh Pant the confidence to lead after the India wicketkeeper-batsman was named captain of Delhi Capitals in place of the injured Shreyas Iyer for the upcoming IPL 2021 season.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the young Rishabh, who is coming off successful stints against Australia and England which will no doubt give him the confidence needed to take on a new role that comes with a lot more responsibility. The coaching group is excited to work with him, and we can’t wait for the season to get started,” said Ponting, the former Australia skipper and talismanic batsman.

Pant had, in the recent past, cemented his place as India’s all-format wicketkeeper-batsman. He played a key role in helping India win the Test series in Australia and at home against England. His 97 on the fifth day of the third Test in Sydney helped India earn a draw and then his 89 not out on the fifth and final day of the fourth and final Test in Brisbane helped India achieve a historic Test and series win.  He also made 101 in the fourth and final Test against England in Ahmedabad earlier this month to turn the game around for India.

Based on his match-turning and vintage knocks in Test matches, he was picked for the two white-ball series against England where too he excelled. He made quickfire scores of 70-odd in the last two ODIs.

Agencies