Released by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 season, little did Chris Morris know what his fate had prepared for him. The South Africa all-rounder triggered the biggest bidding war in the history of the IPL auction before fetching a ‘record-breaking’ Rs. 16.25 crore bid from Rajasthan Royals. While the price does make him the ‘biggest buy’ in the history of the competition. The record is held by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli – who earns Rs. 17 crore per season from the franchise.

Chris Morris Father Always Believed That He’ll Be a Top Cricketer One Day


Chris Morris wouldn’t even have played domestic cricket in South Africa. Morris initial days were centred around the Supersport Park at Centurion, Morris was always on the fringes of the city’s top cricket team, the Titans.

“He wasn’t even making the Northern squad, basically the Titans B side,” South African bowling coach Gordon Parsons said. But Morris’s father Willy respected former first-class cricketer knew his son had it in him.

“Willy called me one day and said ‘You know I have played a lot of cricket and I know my son can play well too. Could you have a look at him?’ I was in North West then. So, I spoke to the CEO and got Chris over. Things started to roll from there. Chris took his time though. He spent two years at North West before finally getting to play for Lions,” said Parsons, an acclaimed domestic coach

“Chris is that rare cricketer who can produce those magic deliveries, bowl really quick when you want and score the runs needed at pressure moments. In shorter formats, that is a brilliant quality to have,” said Gordons.

Having made his first-class debut at 22, the 6ft4 fast bowling all-rounder had to wait two more years for his T20 debut. Today, Morris is possibly South Africa’s biggest IPL export since the 2016 season, first going to the Delhi franchise for over a million dollars, retained for ₹7.1 crores in 2018 before being bought by RCB for ₹10 crores in 2020. Now roped in by Rajasthan Royals for ₹16.25 crore.

Chris Morris will play alongside Ben Stokes, Jos Butler and Jofra Archer. Rajasthan Royals have their all 4 watch winners and they got Shivam Dube too. Rajasthan Royals will be promising to watch in this IPL.