3 best Chris Morris knocks in the IPL
South African all-rounder Chris Morris announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Tuesday (January 11). The 34-year old Morris made a name for himself as a game-changing all-rounder in white ball cricket and the IPL in particular.
BREAKING
🚨BREAKING🚨
South Africa all-rounder, Chris Morris has announced his retirement from all forms of the game.
He will now be seen in a coaching role with the Titans.
#SouthAfrica #CricketTwitter https://t.co/oibXsRbVoe
Over the years, Morris has always been a top-drawer attraction in the IPL. Having first represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2013, Morris then joined Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2015.
Delhi Capitals (then Daredevils) picked up Morris for ₹7 crore in 2016 and retained him ahead of the 2018 IPL Mega Auction.
Chris Morris is the most expensive signing in IPL history
Having fetched a ₹10 crore bid from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Chris Morris was surprisingly released by the side despite having a good season. The IPL 2021 auction saw Morris break the record for the highest bid ever secured in the league. He was snapped up by RR for ₹INR 16.25 crore.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLAYER IN #IPL HISTORY IS NOW A ROYAL!!!
WELCOME, CHRIS MORRIS! 🥳
#HallaBol | #IPLAuction | #IPL2021 | @Tipo_Morris
A player of Morris' package rarely comes by. The demand for him would have arguably been much the same at the IPL 2022 Auction had he continued playing. While Morris was known more for his bowling in the league, he left a lasting impact with the bat as well when the opportunity came his way.
Also read: "My playing days for South Africa are done, I'm not one for announcing retirements" - Chris Morris
Here, we take a look at three of Morris' best knocks in the marquee league over the years.
#3 38 not out off 9 balls versus RPS in 2017
In what was an exhibition of death-overs batting, Chris Morris blew Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) to smithereens at their home ground in 2017. This innings, after a Sanju Samson century, put Delhi Daredevils on the front foot.
Morris walked out in the penultimate over post Samson's departure and wasted no time in stating his intentions. Taking a liking to Adam Zampa first and then Ben Stokes, Morris swung with gay abandon. One of his hits soared as far as 102 meters over mid-wicket.
His nine-ball assault included four boundaries and three sixes as the Daredevils racked up 205/4. RPS were bundled out for 108 and Samson took the Player of the Match honor. However, the game is also remembered for the superlative cameo from Morris.
#2 36 not out off 18 balls against Delhi Capitals in 2021
Rajasthan Royals' bowlers did well to restrict Delhi Capitals to 147/8 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium in IPL 2021. However, a disastrous start with the bat saw the Royals reeling at 42/5 inside the 10th over.
David Miller led their resurrection with a 43-ball 62, but his wicket in the 16th over put the Capitals in front. That was, of course, until Chris Morris took over.
Against his former team, Morris took the chase deep and clouted two sixes off a certain Kagiso Rabada in the 19th over. With 12 needed off the final over, Morris got the job done with two deliveries to spare, courtesy of two more sixes off Tom Curran to see the Royals home.
While his nine-ball unbeaten 38 was surely the more exhilarating knock, this innings ranks higher owing to the pressure of a run chase.
#1 82 not out off 32 balls against Gujarat Lions in 2016
At 57/4 chasing 173, it was all but over for Delhi Daredevils in their home fixture against Gujarat Lions in 2016. A certain Christopher Henry Morris, though, had other ideas on the night of April 27.
Walking out to bat in the 10th over, Morris took the mickey out of the Lions attack and clobbered them into all corners of the park. En route to a breathtaking half-century, Morris brought the equation down to 18 off the final two overs.
The Daredevils were in the driver's seat but Praveen Kumar and Dwayne Bravo held their nerve to pull off a 1-run escape for Gujarat. Alas for Morris, his unbeaten 32-ball 82, studded with 8 sixes, ended in a losing cause. The man himself acknowledged that it was his best T20 knock and, truly, it was a sight to behold.