In a significant boost to the Indian men’s cricket team, Morne Morkel has officially been appointed as the new bowling coach. This appointment will see the former South African pacer taking up his duties starting from the 1st of September. The confirmation of this news came directly from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Jay Shah.
Initially, Morkel was slated to join the Indian team on their recent tour of Sri Lanka. However, due to some personal issues, he was unable to make the trip. During his absence, Sairaj Bahutule stepped in to fulfill the role of an interim bowling coach for the series, which saw India competing in six white-ball matches. Morkel’s first assignment in his new role will be the home series against Bangladesh. This highly anticipated series will commence with a Test match in Chennai on September 19.
At 39 years old, Morkel’s addition to the Indian coaching setup marks a significant collaboration under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir. This is not the first time Morkel and Gambhir have worked together; the duo previously collaborated at the Lucknow Super Giants, a franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to reports first published by Cricbuzz, it was Gambhir who recommended Morkel to the BCCI for the position of bowling coach.
The working relationship between Gambhir and Morkel dates back to their tenure with the Lucknow Super Giants. Gambhir was a mentor at the franchise for two years, during which he and Morkel developed a robust professional rapport. Even after Gambhir departed to join the Kolkata Knight Riders and Andy Flower, the then head coach, moved to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Morkel continued with the franchise. During this period, he worked under the new head coach Justin Langer, thereby gaining diverse coaching experiences.
Morkel’s coaching career is as impressive as his playing days. Prior to his appointment with the Indian team, he had a stint as the bowling coach for the Pakistan team during the ODI World Cup held in India last year. However, he resigned from this position months before his contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was originally set to expire.
. This abrupt exit from the Pakistan coaching staff stirred some conversations in the cricketing world, but Morkel has now turned his focus towards contributing to Indian cricket.
Gautam Gambhir has been assembling an impressive coaching lineup since he took over the reins. Apart from Morne Morkel, the coaching team includes Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, both serving as assistant coaches. T Dilip continues in his role as the fielding coach, having been part of the coaching staff under the previous regime led by Rahul Dravid.
The upcoming series against Bangladesh is expected to be a challenging one, but the addition of Morkel is seen as a move to bolster the Indian bowling attack. Known for his lethal pace and strategic acumen, Morkel brings a wealth of experience to the table. His role will be pivotal in analyzing opposition strategies, refining the skill sets of Indian bowlers, and ensuring they remain competitive in the international arena.
Cricket pundits and fans alike are keen to see how Morkel’s expertise translates into on-field success for India. His previous coaching stints have been met with positive feedback, and there is a palpable sense of optimism about his potential to impact Indian cricket positively.
Interestingly, Morkel’s cricketing journey is marked by several high points. As a former international cricketer for South Africa, he has numerous accolades to his name. His career stats are impressive, which adds to his credibility as a coach. Now, as he steps into this new role with the Indian cricket team, the expectations are high.
As the Indian team gears up for the series against Bangladesh, all eyes will be on the new dynamics that Morkel’s presence brings. The cricket community waits with bated breath for what this synergy between Gambhir and Morkel, along with the rest of the coaching staff, will achieve. Their combined expertise and strategic mindsets could very well set a new benchmark for Indian cricket.
This appointment could potentially be a game-changer, offering Indian bowlers new insights and strategies. It’s a move that underscores the ambition and forward-thinking approach of the BCCI to keep Indian cricket at the forefront of the global stage.