Eoin Morgan speaks on IPL 2022 auction snub: 'Thought my best chance was in second round'

He took the Kolkata Knight Riders to the title round of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) but fell at the final hurdle. Yet, Eoin Morgan, considered one of the finest batters in white-ball cricket, failed to get a team in the mega auction of the 2022 edition of T20 tournament starting later this month.

The Ireland-born cricketer, who is the limited-overs skipper of the England cricket team and led the side to its first-ever World Cup title in 2019, has spoken out about being ignored at the IPL 2022 auction in Bangalore in February. The 35-year-old southpaw said he had hoped that a franchise would bid for him in the later stages of the event but it did not happen.

He also said that he would take a break from the game for at least two months even if any opportunity comes his way in this time.

Morgan, who made his IPL debut in 2010 and has played in 83 games so far in which he has scored 1,405 runs at an average of 22.66 and strike rate of 122.60, had a horrendous run with the bat in the 2021 season (133 runs in 17 matches at an average of 11.08) despite his team reaching the final. He remained one of the many high-profile unsold players in the auction this year despite setting a base price of Rs 1.5 crore.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, London, Morgan said he hoped some franchise would go for him should it require an experienced T20 batter or captain.

Eoin Morgan to take two months break

“I thought my best chance was to be picked up in the second round once squads had been put together, if someone needed help as a reserve middle order, experienced player, captain, whatever. But by the time the first round finished, pretty much every team had boxed that off, so I had no chance. I won’t play any cricket for two months at least, regardless of opportunities that present themselves. I have decided to take time away given the year we have ahead,” he said.

Morgan had another major disappointment after failing to win the IPL last year. Under his captaincy, England lost to New Zealand in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup. His batting woes continued in that tournament as well as he managed just 40 runs in six outings.

Morgan is aware of his poor form and wants to use the break to recharge.

“It’s a fact that I have not scored enough runs. I’d agree. I am viewing it as a challenge that I have been through before and I’m hoping to come out the other side. I will be using this break to recharge, but also to have a little bit of time to work on things that you don’t have time to work on while you are in competition,” he added.

Yet another T20 World Cup is scheduled later this year in Australia and Morgan will be keen to turn the tables around Down Under.