The Rajasthan Royals purchased South African all-rounder Chris Morris for approximately R32 million ($2.2 million) at Thursday’s player auction ahead of the 2021 Indian Premier League.
The Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) and Mumbai Indians also tried to secure Morris’ services, but were ultimately outbid by Rajasthan.
This is the highest price ever paid for a player at an IPL auction.
“We spoke to Chris before the auction. We’ve re-balanced our side and he will be an important player for us. We did get stretched to our limits. That was our last bid for him, but Punjab Kings thankfully held back,” said Rajasthan Royals chief operations officer Jake Lush McCrum.
Morris played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in last year’s edition of the IPL. Bangalore released him earlier this year. He has also represented the Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
Elsewhere around the world, the 33-year-old Morris has been with the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League, Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League, Hampshire in England’s T20 Blast and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants in South Africa’s Mzansi Super League.
Unsold SA players at 2021 IPL auction
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Wayne Parnell
- Beuran Hendricks
- Hardus Viljoen
- Andile Phehlukwayo
- Daryn Dupavillon
- Morne Morkel
- George Linde
- Dwaine Pretorious
- David Wiese
- Gerald Coetzee
- Jacques Snyman
SA players retained by IPL franchises
- Faf Du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)
- Lungi Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings)
- Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals)
- Anrich Nortje (Delhi Capitals)
- Quinton De Kock (Mumbai Indians)
- David Miller (Rajasthan Royals)
- AB De Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
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