422.22 strike rate. Nine balls. One unforgettable cameo
As the IPL 2025 continues to captivate us with fresh twists and turns every evening, it feels only right to take a trip down memory lane to one of the most jaw-dropping moments in IPL's storied history. It was a night when the Delhi Daredevils rewrote the script, surged past the 200 mark, and one dazzling player—Chris Morris—illuminated the final overs as if Diwali had come early.
Credit: India.com
April 11, 2017. A surprisingly tranquil evening in Pune. That was until Morris strode onto the field like a warrior with only 10 deliveries left to seize the moment. The Rising Pune Supergiant had managed to keep the game under wraps for most of the match. But as the Delhi Daredevils reached 166 for 4 with just two overs remaining, the real storm was still on the horizon.
Credit: ESPN
Sanju Samson served as the anchor, scoring a well-paced century that united the innings. His 102 runs off 63 balls represented the kind of performance that teams dream of at the top. Yet, it was Morris who stole the spotlight, despite facing fewer than 10 deliveries.
In strode the South African all-rounder, chewing gum, bat in hand, and with an intent that screamed carnage. Anderson gave him the strike, and the rest was a blur of boundaries, booming sixes, and stunned bowlers.
Credit: ESPN
Adam Zampa's 19th over felt the full force of Morris' fury. It began calmly enough but concluded with 22 runs taken from it. There was no relief at the other end either. In the final over, Ben Stokes, England's top all-rounder, was torn apart for another 23 runs.
In total, Morris belted 38 runs off just 9 balls. He hit 4 fours and 3 sixes, finishing not out and propelling Delhi to 205 for 4, their first 200-plus total since 2012. His final strike rate? A staggering 422.22. It's the kind of number that seems photoshopped if you didn't witness it live.
The best shot? A clever jab past backward point—an off-stump yorker squeezed with the softest hands, yet packing the punch of a heavyweight. Pure class amidst the chaos.
Credit: MyKhel
Delhi's innings ignited at just the right moment. Between Samson's six-heavy final flourish and Morris's sheer ferocity, the last four overs produced 76 runs—the third-highest in IPL history at that time. Dinda, Zampa, and Stokes all found themselves on the wrong end of that assault, their statistics resembling horror stories more than bowling spells.
The control Rising Pune had regained during the middle overs vanished like morning mist. Imran Tahir's earlier performance (4-0-24-1) now felt like a distant memory. Morris had rewritten the narrative.
Credit: ESPN
Chasing 206 was never going to be easy. Once Morris got his hands on the ball, bouncing debutant Rahul Tripathi, it was game over before it really began. Pune collapsed for 108 in just 16.1 overs, succumbing to the pressure of the scoreboard and Delhi's clinical bowling.
Credit: Cricshots
But this wasn't solely Delhi's win. It was Chris Morris's moment- a fleeting, furious few minutes that remain etched in IPL folklore. It serves as proof that in T20 cricket, sometimes nine balls are enough to rewrite the match script and leave fans gasping for breath.
