IPL 2021 Auction: 3 Teams Which Can Target Chris Morris

One of the biggest surprises from the recently released list of players by the franchises ahead of the IPL 2021 auction was that the Royal Challengers Bangalore parting ways with South African all-rounder Chris Morris.

Morris has a stellar IPL 2020 season where he claimed 11 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 19.09 and an economy rate of 6.63.

Morris is a perfect 3D cricketer. He can bowl in the powerplay; he is a death-over specialist and a very handy lower-order batsman. Thus, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if a bidding war ensues between the franchises for his services.

Here’s a look at 3 teams who can target Chris Morris in IPL 2021 auction:

 

Mumbai Indians

Defending champions Mumbai Indians undoubtedly have the most balanced squad ahead of the IPL 2021 auction.

In Quinton de Kock, Chris Lynn, Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, and Krunal Pandya, they have enough firepower in their tank in the batting and all-rounder’s department.

Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav, and Anukul Roy are more than decent spin-bowling options while the duo of Trent Boult- a powerplay specialist- and Jasprit Bumrah, someone who can deliver in almost every passage of play, are enviable fast bowling options.

However, if there is one department where the Mumbai Indians struggled was with regards to a third seam-bowling option. The likes of James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile were inconsistent while Mitchell McLenaghan did not get a chance throughout the season.

All three pacers have been released from the set-up. Chris Morris, despite having a good season for RCB was released by the franchise, and given his mastery in bowling at the death, the South African seamer could prove to be a brilliant option for MI.

Mumbai Indians have four overseas slots to fill in the IPL 2021 auction and they have Rs 15.35 Crores in their kitty.

 

Kings XI Punjab

Apart from the misfiring middle-order, the KL Rahul-led Kings XI Punjab struggled with their death bowling in the 2020 IPL.

While Sheldon Cottrell proved to be a colossal failure, especially at the death, Chris Jordan blew hot and cold throughout the season.

KXIP has five overseas slots to fill in the IPL 2021 auction and they have the largest purse (Rs 53.5 Crore) to achieve that. Morris, with his ability to nail in yorkers at will at the death and penchant to use his long levers while batting, can prove to be an ideal pick for the Punjab-based franchise.

 

Rajasthan Royals

Barring the ever-so consistent Jofra Archer, Rajasthan Royals grappled with the lack of potent seam bowling options in the last IPL.

The likes of Tom Curran, Ankit Rajpoot, Jaydev Unadkat, rookie Kartik Tyagi just could not back up the good work that Archer did throughout the season.

As a result, the Royals were never able to take advantage of the pressure that Jofra Archer exerted from one end.

The Royals have released the likes of Steve Smith, Tom Curran, and Oshane Thomas from their 2020 squad, and so, they have three overseas slots to fill in the auction. And, for that, they have the third-highest purse (Rs 34.85 Crores).

If they do go all out for Chris Morris and end up grabbing his services, then they will not only have an ideal death bowling option but also a handy power-hitter at the backend of the innings.

Also Read: IPL 2021 Auction: 3 Teams Which Can Target Steve Smith