Eoin Morgan: finally living up to his billing in the IPL

Wandering through the list of batting options as I previewed the Kolkata Knight Riders’ campaign as the defending champions in this year’s IPL, a name struck. It struck and it remained stuck, sometimes even peeking out like a sore thumb. It warranted attention by its reputation but not by performances in the past IPL editions.

With Brendon McCullum’s last hurrah in Kolkata colours coming five years ago, Shakib Al-Hasan’s unavailability and the Indian duo of Manoj Tiwary and Yusuf Pathan flattering to deceive on occasions too many, Eoin Morgan’s contribution was certainly going to be a decisive factor in the fortunes of the Knight Riders. In the few games that Kolkata has played so far, it certainly has turned out to be so.

Eoin Morgan’s days of glory in the competition before this year mostly were confined to the day of the auction. Firstly, Bangalore and then Kolkata struck a price in IPL auction a year apart that would seem to be a coup for the ability that Morgan brought to the table. But being silly is what has shaped Morgan’s reputation in the IPL. He certainly looks the part of being a star and has a full repertoire of skills with the willow in his hands to make “silly” out of any bowling attack; but that’s as far it has gone.

With the talent that the Irishman has to offer, it’s mostly been a painstaking process for the teams to unceremoniously bench one of the best finishers in the modern game. Except for a brilliant 66 against the now defunct Kochi Tuskers, the elegant left hander has produced moments that takes fans sky-high with his wristy touches only to be brought back down to earth with a boneheaded decision in the following balls.

Analyzed as a star owing to his glorious international reputation and slammed as a bust, it has become a futile effort for most to understand his failures in the IPL. So, two weeks ago, I waited with bated breath wondering which version of one of my favourite cricketers would turn up this year. Two weeks ago, Morgan had scored 30 runs in an IPL game only once. Two weeks ago, however, he was still hopeful of making a mark and “make a mark” he did.

“He’s a world class player. We wanted to give him more time so that he could play a natural game,” Gautam Gambhir said of the mercurial talent after their recent victory over Hyderabad.

Morgan has certainly looked world class and a vital cog in the machinery that Kolkata have set up to defend their title, becoming the main rudder to guide the KKR ship in the middle overs as well as spitting venom at the end. He has been afforded time and responsibility and instead of crumbling under pressure, Morgan is finally delivering. He has hit 161 runs at an average of 40.25 and played a vital role in both of Kolkata’s wins. Even when the team hasn’t won, Morgan has had a say in the proceeding in most matches and that’s more than most expected out of the stylish left-hander coming into the season.

The questions will still persist. “Is it real this time around?” They have been lurking around for years now, but are finally getting some answers. From failing to put together two consecutive innings of some saying, to people having belief in him to deliver day in and day out are suddenly fathomable.

Morgan seems to be finally the guy that Kolkata considered a coup three years ago. The ice finally seems to be running in his veins as he applies the finishing touches to Kolkata’s efforts, finding a niche in the heart of the batting order. The newly incarnated Morgan is something the people of Kolkata have been waiting for. In the purple and gold of KKR, he doesn’t look half bad.