‘Brings additional pressure but they can handle it’ - Chris Morris opens up on Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins’ record IPL deals

Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders broke the bank and signed Mitchell Starc for a whopping sum of INR 24.75 crore for the upcoming IPL 2024. He is currently the highest-earned cricketer in the history of the tournament, with Pat Cummins just behind him. Sunrisers Hyderabad paid INR 20.50 crore to sign the Australian skipper, making him the second-highest earner in the competition.

Reflecting upon that, former cricketer Chris Morris stated that the money will certainly put some pressure on the pace duo but added that they can handle it. He added that the bidding is out of control but it’s excellent as both cricketers are in ‘red hot form’. 

“It is excellent. The bidding is out of our control. If you compare cricket with what other sports are paying, it is great that the best players in the world are being paid the highest. It is an excellent achievement but also brings additional pressure. But they (Cummins and Starc) can handle that pressure, that is why they were bought for so much money. They are performing really well right now and are red-hot,” Morris was quoted as saying by NewsX.

Rohit hit the nail on the head: Morris

The second Test between South Africa and India at Newlands earlier in the month ended in less than two days, which created a lot of controversy. India won the match by seven wickets as skipper Rohit Sharma later mentioned that his team had no problem playing on that surface but expects other teams to remain quiet when they play in spin-friendly conditions in the sub-continent. 

Morris mentioned that Rohit was right in calling out the hypocrisy and added that he would have enjoyed some more contest as he wanted Dean Elgar to walk out with a win.

“Rohit hit the nail on the head. He said that he does not mind Test pitches like these if people do not criticise turning pitches in India. If you want to prepare more pitches suitable for you and your personal performances, then why not? I would have loved to see some more cricket, some more contest. I would have loved to see Dean Elgar go out with a win, but that is cricket, someone has to lose,” Morris added.