Chris Morris was asked whether the result has been different had RR captain Sanju Samson didn’t refuse that single a couple of nights ago against Punjab Kings. The IPL’s highest-paid – ₹16.25 Cr – cricketer, who won the game for RR with 4 sixes against DC, revealed what he felt when after being sent back by Sanju Samson.
Almost immediately after Chris Morris hit 4 sixes in the last two overs against Kagiso Rabada and Tom Curran to seal the victory which at the point looked like a distant dream for Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2021 match against Delhi Capitals in Mumbai, cricket fans and experts went back to April 12.
Chris Morris Was Going To Run Back No Matter What Because Sanju Samson Was Hitting The Ball Like A Dream
The question of whether the result would have been any different had Sanju Samson taken that single off the penultimate ball against Punjab Kings and let Chris Morris hit a boundary was asked to Chris Morris after RR’s three-wicket win on Thursday against RR and the IPL’s highest-paid cricketer revealed his feelings when captain Sanu Samson had refused the single a couple of nights ago.
The new RR skipper declined a single to Chris Morris off the second-last ball of the innings, while chasing a mammoth target of 221. Facing Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson hit the ball towards the extra-cover region but the shot only guaranteed a single. Chris Morris ran towards him was but sent back after crossing the halfway line.
“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,” said Chris Morris.
RR needed 5 runs off 2 balls against PBKS when Sanju Samson had turned down the single to take matters in his hands but failed to hit a six off the last ball as RR lost by 4 runs.
Chris Morris, who had a look of disbelief on his face after Sanju Samson had sent him back, showed what he is capable of if given an opportunity by finishing off the match for RR in their second Indian Premier League match against DC on Thursday. Chris Morris was unbeaten on 36 off 18 deliveries as he helped RR chase down the 148-run target in mere 19.4 overs.
Chris Morris: David Miller Played A Great Hand In RR’s Victory
When David Miller was dismissed after scoring a brilliant 62 off 43 balls it was looking as if all hopes of RR winning the match had gone with him. The Rajasthan franchise needed 44 runs 25 balls with just 3 wickets in hand. Chris Morris, however, proved everyone wrong by putting together an unbroken 46-run stand with Jaydev Unadkat to win it for RR.
“I think the dew plays a part here. I think they hit the length a lot better than we did and they got a lot of guys skying with the extra bounce. But we would have taken a chase of 140-odd. There are guys that get paid to bat and guys that get paid to slog, and I know which I am. That’s why I play so much golf,” Chris Morris added.
He also praised David Miller for his brilliant innings and rescuing RR from a poor start.
“That happens every now and then in the game of cricket, I thought Delhi played really well. Dave played a great hand and it went out way,” he added.
Earlier, left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat, making a comeback into the RR side, returned with brilliant figures of 3 for 15 in his 4 overs to restrict DC to a relatively low score of 148, batting first. Jaydev Unadkat now has the best bowling average of 5 among bowlers who bowled during IPL 2021 and also the best economy rate of 3.75. Jaydev Unadkat has picked 84 scalps in 80 IPL matches averaging 28.98.
Brief Scores: Rajasthan Royals 150/7 (David Miller 62, Chris Morris 36*; Avesh Khan 3/32) beat Delhi Capitals 147/8 (Rishabh Pant 51, Tom Curran 21; Jaydev Unadkat 3/15) by 3 wickets.