England’s Eoin Morgan would have been launching those towering sixes at the iconic Eden Gardens had IPL gone on as per plans. With the postponement of the cash-rich tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic, uncertainty looms large for the time being.
Eoin Morgan on his rapport with Brendon McCullum
However, Morgan relishes the reunion with his ‘good mate’ Brendon McCullum, who is now the head coach of the franchise. Morgan had played for KKR from 2011 to 2013 and is now back in the fold courtesy an auction bid of INR 5.25 Crores.
“I’m very lucky to be able to call him one of my good mates. Over the years, we’ve gotten to know each other really well. Actually, our relationship first blossomed at Kolkata, where the two of us played together.” Morgan told www.kkr.in.
The two share a fantastic rapport off the field as well. Morgan has time and again stated that McCullum-led New Zealand side’s brand of cricket inspired the Three Lions in the limited-overs format. After an unceremonious exit in the 2015 World Cup, England went on to lift their maiden title in 2019 at home.
“I think his contribution not only to New Zealand cricket but to world cricket really took the front in 2015 with their campaign – throughout the 2015 world cup. They really did, I suppose, transform the fate of a nation and the hope of a nation in the way that they played. They played aggressive, positive cricket but also in a way that wasn’t in your face the whole time.” added Morgan.
McCullum and his men played fearless cricket in the 2015 edition of the marquee event. The skipper himself was instrumental in providing rollicking starts for the Blackcaps. However, their dreams of winning the World Cup got punctured as Australia won a rather one-sided finale at Melbourne.
“It was really good to watch, it created a huge amount of attraction and I think a majority of the time actually the way that they play and the manner that they play overlooks the skill level that they produce. And I think Baz is the reason for that turnaround. I think he has had a huge input in the way they’ve played and in all formats as well not just white ball.” he added.
Morgan himself had played a quintessential role for the Three Lions while being at the helm of affairs.