Chris Morris climbed to the top of Rajasthan Royals’ bowling honours board with a four-for-23 match winning spell against Kolkata Knight Riders.
And at the pre-match press-conference here on Tuesday, when both the Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) preferred to present a bowler instead of the captain or a batsman, the Pretoria-born South African conceded that his team could be the underdog against RCB in the Eliminator-play-off here on Wednesday.
When asked how the Royals are approaching the do-or-die match, Morris said, “The last game (against KKR) was exactly the same for us. It’s just that the label is different.
Strong squad“They (RCB) are an unbelievably strong team. I believe we could be the underdog; they are going through a purple patch and playing good cricket.
“We have to be on top of our game and probably at 110 per cent of our best to win it,’’ said Morris who has taken 12 wickets at 22.42 in 10 matches.
The gangly fast bowler referred to the presence of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and A.B. de Villiers as the world’s top three batsmen and that the task was cut out for his team.
Morris said he was happy to be able to contribute to his team’s win against KKR. “It was an all-round performance by the team; it was a very good pitch. I was happy that I could contribute to that win, it was my turn.”
Morris felt that preparation cannot be any different for the playoff match.
“There is not much difference in preparation, just a lot more focus on certain players; otherwise it’s just another game of cricket.
“There is an unbelievable calmness in the team, more relaxed and yet promising much.”
RCB’s left-arm seamer Sreenath Aravind said he’s learned a lot from Australian left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc on line and length, how to study batsmen and bowl to them and other valuable tips before saying that his team was keen to win the title.
“We are very anxious to win the title. That’s for sure. We have done our best, win or lose.
“We have played this competition match by match. We are focused on our strength and want to win it.’’
