Ahead of his team’s clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman Eoin Morgan stressed on the importance of dismissing opponent’s rampaging top-order early, featuring Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Steve Smith.
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While RR skipper Smith has hit two reliable two half-centuries from as many games, Samson smashed 32-ball 74 in Royals’ IPL 2020 opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and followed it up with 42-ball 85 versus Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).
Buttler, who missed the first game because of quarantine protocol, made only 4 runs against KXIP but his white-ball exploits are known to everyone.
"The honest answer is that they are good players and you have to get them out. If they bat for 20 overs, you're probably going to lose the game, particularly Buttler and Samson," Morgan quoted as saying by PTI.
Rajasthan Royals have piled up 200+ scores in both their matches and against Kings XI Punjab, they chased down an IPL record target of 224.
"They obviously have a very well-drilled and experienced side. I suppose the challenges from our point of view, is to try and focus on our own game to start with.
"If we can produce a performance and improve on the game, I think then that will allow us to execute strategies and plans for Smith, Buttler and Samson to try and make inroads.
"Steve Smith obviously is in fine form. They've had some good success in the limited games that they've played. Hopefully, we can build on our game, and produce our first win in Dubai," he added.
Morgan also showered rich praise on KKR opener Shubman Gill, who scored an unbeaten 70 to ensure his team’s victory in the last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
"It's the first time I've seen him bat in person. An impressive young man with a lot of potential. And I think a lot of hype probably comes with it.
"Watching him play against a very experienced Sunrisers attack was a joy to watch. Hopefully, that's a start for him, kicking on and contributing more and more in our campaign this year," the England skipper said.
Morgan then hailed the KKR bowlers, especially Pat Cummins, who bounced back from his poor show against Mumbai Indians, to finish with the match figures of 4-0-19-1 versus SRH.
"From the team's perspective, I thought the bowlers bounced back beautifully from the first game. With ebb and flow throughout the tournament, I don't think any side is going to go on unbeaten.
"Given the challenges across the three grounds -- that no team has control over their own wickets -- I think it's going to be challenging for everybody."
Morgan's England teammate Jofra Archer will lead Rajasthan’s pace attack and he hoped to combat his threat.
"He's a very difficult opponent to come up against. It's not his batting we'll be worried about. It will be his bowling.
"Hopefully, we can negate that, make plans, he's played in the IPL now for a long time so guys know him better than they have done before. So again, we need to play well enough to try and implement plans," Morgan said.
(With PTI inputs)
