IPL 2021: Match-readiness is probably going to be an issue, feels Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Chris Morris
Chris Morris will be one of the senior players in the Rajasthan Royals squad in the absence of England superstars Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes in the second half of IPL 2021.
In Short
- Chris Morris said his role as a senior cricketer would be to keep all the RR players calm
- Morris also said that it is a part of his job to help captain Sanju Samson during the matches
- RR are currently 5th on the table and will resume their IPL 2021 campaign vs Punjab Kings on Sept. 21
Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Chris Morris wants to contribute not just with the bat and ball but also help captain Sanju Samson in whatever way he possibly can when they resume their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 campaign against Punjab Kings in Dubai this week.
Morris will be one of the senior players in the squad in the absence of England superstars Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. The South African therefore, said his role as an experienced campaigner would be to keep all the players within the franchise calm during this second phase of the IPL 2021.
"We have so many experienced players in the team, I will be at mid-off and mid-on, I'll be having a chat with the bowlers. If we pick anything, we always relay that to captain Sanju.
"As a senior player, the role is to keep the players calm and I think there is pressure on players, you always need an idea," said Morris during a webinar organised by Rajasthan Royals.
Morris also said that it is a part of his job to help the captain during the matches by giving him regular inputs and suggestions.
"Yeah, I will be doing it anyway, whether the likes of Jos Buttler or Ben Stokes are available or not, I have been doing that my whole career. I will be helping Sanju. It is a part of the gig I suppose," he added.
Morris reckons some players might find it a bit tough to be match-ready from the word go due to the break in between due to the Covid pandemic.
"I think match-readiness is probably going to be an issue. Same as IPL last year in Dubai, guys took a couple of matches to get rustiness out of their bones. I think the fortunate thing for us is that people have been playing a lot of cricket, especially overseas players. I have been pre-season at home, I think match-fitness is always the best type of fitness," said Morris.
"I think a few guys will struggle to get that rustiness off. It is natural and it is going to happen. This is the nature of the beast with COVID-19. So, I think it will be the case initially, some guys have to shake off the rustiness but that is part and parcel of the game. You have to find a way and make it work," he added.
Rajasthan Royals are currently fifth on the points table and will resume their campaign against PBKS in Dubai on September 21.