IPL 2021: Frontline workers doing incredible job during COVID - Chris Morris

Rajasthan Royals pacer Chris Morris during his match-winning 4-23 vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. Pic/BCCI; IPL

Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Chris Morris was all praise for India's COVID-19 frontline workforce after his team's six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. Morris, who took 4-23, spoke of the tense situation in the country and hoped that cricket could bring some relief.

‘An incredible job'

"We have seen how badly this pandemic has taken over some specific parts, if not all of India. As a team, we just want to say that the heroes out there, the frontline workers all over the world, to be doing what they're doing day in and day out for 24 hours a day, is just incredible. As a team, we are feeling the hurt for everyone around the world," Morris said at the post-match virtual press conference on Saturday night.

"It's difficult to comprehend what is happening. It's our responsibility to play with a smile on our faces because we have a reason to smile. We, hopefully, get to keep people happy on the other side of the screen. Whether we are winning or losing, it's an opportunity to keep people smiling and watching cricket. If that brings people joy, even if it's a little bit of joy, then we are doing well as a sport," added Morris in response to a question on how RR are dealing with the pandemic situation across the country.

Disciplined bowling effort

A disciplined bowling effort from RR restricted KKR to just 133-9 in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, RR skipper Sanju Samson (unbeaten 42 off 41 balls) top-scored as they won with seven balls to spare. Morris credited the bowlers for the dominant win.

"There was a reason we chose to bat second. It [wicket] does tend to speed up at night. Regarding the slower balls, you, as a bowling unit, always tend to bowl slower
balls in the first six overs to see if it grips. If it does, that's when we start doing it more and more. Our execution was a lot better in terms of hitting our lengths. Getting our execution of yorkers and bowling our slower balls, we were a lot better in that too," he said.

RR's Tye heads home citing personal reasons

Rajasthan Royals' Australian pacer Andrew Tye on Sunday flew back home due to "personal reasons" making him the fourth overseas recruit of the franchise to pull out
of the ongoing IPL. Earlier, Englishmen Jofra Archer (hand surgery), Ben Stokes (finger fracture) and Liam Livingstone (bubble fatigue) had opted out.