Costliest IPL player Chris Morris flops; Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara displeased

Dubai, September 30: After suffering a seven-wicket loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2021), Rajasthan Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara said all-rounder Chris Morris knows that he has not done a good enough job for the side in the last few games.

Chasing 150, Glenn Maxwell and Srikar Bharat scored 50 and 44 respectively as RCB defeated Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets with 17 balls to spare.

With this win, RCB consolidated its position at the third spot with 14 points from 11 games.

"Chris Morris did brilliantly for us in the first half and he has not done the job as we would have liked him to in the second half. He knows that and we know that. 50 runs from four overs, his last over was the last throw of the dice to try and get a wicket. We were well out of the game at that point.

''He has done well for us in certain parts and whoever we think of playing next will be the best person to come into the side to play against the opposition," said Sangakkara during a virtual post-match press conference.

When asked about his conversations with skipper Sanju Samson, Sangakkara said: "We do have one on one chat about a lot of things. India's aspirations come at a time when the IPL is over.

''Our chats are primarily IPL focused, not just his batting, it is about the captaincy, the team, and what we want to do. He is a very good player, he has done exceptionally well for us this season.

''I am sure that Sanju's aspirations for playing for India will come true and he will get a longer run in the future. He is good and ready anytime he is picked," he added.

Earlier, Harshal Patel's three-wicket haul helped RCB restrict Rajasthan Royals to 149/9 in the allotted 20 overs.

For Sanju Samson's side, Evin Lewis top-scored with a knock of 58 runs from 37 balls. "Well, the pitches have been very good. Especially in the first half of the tournament in India, we were struggling in powerplays and our middle and late middle-order was getting us into games.

''In the second half, we have gone the other way. That has been the case for us. In the last two games, from a good position, we were unable to convert, unfortunately, we have not got to the mark where we take the opposition out of the game," said Sangakkara.

The seventh-placed Rajasthan Royals will next lock horns against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday (October 1) in the ongoing IPL 2021.

Sanju rues lost chance

RR skipper Sanju Samson admitted that the side was not able to carry forward the momentum after opening batsmen had given the team a good start against RCB on Wednesday (September 29).

Rajasthan Royals were 100 for 1 at one stage before RCB bowlers stole the show to script a comeback.

"We got a great start, but couldn't capitalise. Middle order needs some confidence. We went in with intent, the wicket was two-paced and our batters kept mistiming it," said Samson during the post-match presentation

"To be honest, it's been a hard one week for us, we need to put in a fight as a franchise. Happy with the effort and intent with the bowling. We don't have anything to lose," he added.

"That kind of mindset brings a lot of freedom, have seen some funny things happen. Need to keep on believing and fighting till the last match," Samson stressed.

Glenn Maxwell hit a fifty while Srikar Bharat scored 44 as RCB defeated Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets. RCB restricted Rajasthan Royals to 149/9.