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Morgan keen to make it count in orange
03 May, 2015
Morgan keen to make it count in orange
03 May, 2015
This is not the Eoin Morgan we are used to seeing. That shuffle in the crease, the quick hands and the mad switch hit are all wrapped somewhere in a closet. After a forgettable run in the World Cup, Morgan would have hoped for a change in form and fortunes during the Pepsi IPL 2015. But things haven’t quite gone according to his script. In his first game he scored 27 and in the next game he was dismissed scoring just 1. Ravi Bopara or Morgan in the middle order was the big question Sunrisers Hyderabad had to answer.
Sunrisers were more than keen to invest on Ravi Bopara who also provided them with a seam bowling option. But in their first game at home (Hyderabad), Sunrisers came up with a surprise opting for Morgan ahead of Bopara. In Morgan, Sunrisers trust, and expect him to go full tilt very soon. He has been finding the sweet spot of his bat more often than not during practice sessions and it was about putting it to practice on game day.
On Saturday night against the Chennai Super Kings, Morgan was not at his lethal best, but showed glimpses of form with an unbeaten 32 from 27 balls which included two sixes and a boundary. Time at the crease and runs under the belt are gold especially when someone of Morgan’s caliber is looking to find his true self and putting up valuable performances for the Orange army. What kind of a batting space is he in? How far is he from hitting form or is he not out of form at all? How did he feel seeing two balls sail over the ropes of his bat that has been quite silent for some time? Sunrisers’ Eoin Morgan answers it all in a chat with iplt20.com.
What a way to welcome the sea of orange at Hyderabad.
Obviously getting the result our way is a great start to our campaign at home. But to get it in the fashion that we did is probably better. Playing Chennai Super Kings is not always an easy task. They are a team of world beaters and to come out winning the way we did tonight is something we can take a lot of confidence from. Our bowlers tonight were outstanding. They performed well on a wicket that didn’t really have much going for them. They built pressure and picked wickets at crucial periods of time. We did have a little bit of luck going our way but we took advantage of it.
Warner going bang-bang at the top and the rest complementing each other in the process. Probably the ideal brand of cricket Sunrisers are looking to play?
I think our ideal template was today. We needed a couple of guys to keep kicking on in the fashion that we did. The way we performed and the way we scored runs is the way we want to play our cricket in the tournament. We were pretty satisfied with the number of runs we got on the board at the end of the day. The bowlers backed it up massively. We have had a few games where the batsmen and bowlers have not done well in tandem, but today we put in a great performance. It was an outstanding effort overall.
Personally, how are you feeling about your own batting at the moment?
I am feeling good. Time in the middle tonight obviously helped. This is my third game in the tournament so far and I think the more I play the more confidence I will gain in my batting. The pitch here in Hyderabad is a bit different to what we had in Vizag. I am looking forward to playing more games in the tournament.
The world is used to seeing a different Eoin Morgan and expectations are high. How close are you towards striking form like you own it?
Tonight watching myself clear the ropes gave me immense joy. Watching the ball sailing over the boundary ropes from my bat was a huge confidence booster. I can take a lot from that. Getting runs in front of a full house is a very good sight. Also, to spend some time in the middle is satisfying especially when you are under a bit of pressure. The IPL is very unique in the fact that you can only play four overseas players. When you get that chance the team expects a lot from you. I think I am making strides towards moving forward, which is a big step. If I can build on that with more performances and games, it will be a big thing for me.
Do you reckon numbers don’t always portray the right story and one shouldn’t be judged solely on numbers?
Absolutely. I think numbers in T20s don’t always dictate what happened in the game. It is important to have a look at certain situations the guys have played in and the role they were assigned for that match. Batting performances are a lot like bowling. You could have a situation where bowlers would have bowled a good couple of overs upfront and then you could have been taken apart at the death. It is important to play the situation that is in front of you.
Sunrisers Hyderabad are spoilt for choices when it comes to foreign players. With regards to you, it has always been a case of playing either you or Ravi Bopara in the XI. Does it get tough to perform under such circumstances?
Me and Ravi always chat about the game. Bopara is an option with the ball as well with regards to selection. It is up to the selectors whether they want to have an out and out batsman or they want an all-rounder. The Sunrisers have been really relaxed. It is a bit of a different setup to that of Kolkata Knight Riders, but it is one of a relaxed atmosphere and you are encouraged to play in your way the whole time. I have enjoyed it so far. Having VVS Laxman for company has been great. VVS is a wise man and he watches and observes batsmen a hell of a lot. He picks up little and simple things and coming from him it holds a lot of weight. I have been working a lot on the sidelines with my coach back home on things I have to work on. I will continue to do that. After a 20-odd score in a low scoring game, I had to alter my game a bit. I am glad I did the things I wanted to do tonight.
