In a significant development for Indian cricket, Morne Morkel has been named the bowling coach for the senior India men’s team. The announcement was confirmed by Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Morkel’s tenure is set to begin on September 1.
The appointment of Morkel comes with much anticipation, especially since his joining was previously delayed due to personal matters. On India’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, Sairaj Bahutule stepped in as the interim bowling coach for the six white-ball matches. Now, with Morkel officially on board, he will be taking up the duties for the eagerly awaited home series against Bangladesh. The series will commence with the Chennai Test, scheduled to start on September 19.
The 39-year-old South African veteran will integrate into the Indian coaching framework, led by Gautam Gambhir. This isn’t the first time Morkel and Gambhir have worked together; their professional relationship dates back to their time with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League. In a significant revelation, sources indicate that Gambhir, who has closely followed Morkel’s coaching trajectory, recommended him to the BCCI for the coveted bowling coach position.
Morkel and Gambhir’s collaboration at LSG was notably successful. Gambhir, who served as a mentor, established a productive rapport with Morkel during his two-year stint with the franchise. Even when Gambhir transitioned to Kolkata Knight Riders and head coach Andy Flower moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Morkel’s value to Lucknow Super Giants was evident. He continued to serve as the bowling coach under the new head coach, Justin Langer.
Adding further to his coaching pedigree, Morkel also played a critical role with the Pakistan team during last year’s ODI World Cup held in India. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he parted ways with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) months before his contract was due to end, focusing his interests back to the Indian cricketing avenue.
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The coaching ensemble under Gautam Gambhir has been meticulously crafted to bring out the best in the Indian team. Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate currently serve as assistant coaches and have been integral to the coaching strategy along with T Dilip, who maintains his role as the fielding coach from the previous regime led by Rahul Dravid. The addition of Morkel brings an added layer of strategic depth and experience to an already talented group of coaches.
Morne Morkel’s cricketing career is illustrious, making his transition into a high-level coaching role a logical progression. Known for his intimidating pace and ability to extract bounce from any surface, Morkel has always been a force to reckon with on the cricket field. Across various formats of the game, he has had significant success, which surely adds to his coaching credentials. His insight into the game, especially in terms of pace bowling, is a treasure trove for budding and established Indian bowlers alike.
His understanding of different playing conditions globally, acquired from both his playing and coaching stints, brings a great advantage to the Indian setup. As someone who has navigated the highs and lows of international cricket, Morkel is expected to be a mentor who can guide the Indian bowling unit through pressure situations and help them develop resilience and versatility.
As India prepares for the upcoming challenges, the BCCI’s decision to rope in Morkel reflects a forward-thinking approach to bolster the team’s competitive edge. The home series against Bangladesh is not just another contest but a stage set for Morkel to demonstrate his coaching prowess. The series will serve as a platform for Morkel to establish his methodologies and start building rapport with the players under the aegis of Gambhir’s leadership.
In conclusion, Morne Morkel’s appointment is a testament to the evolving dynamics of cricket coaching, where expertise and experience synergize to craft winning formulas. As Indian cricket fans eagerly await the home series, all eyes will be on how Morkel shapes one of the most crucial aspects of the team—its bowling attack. This move could very well be a pivotal moment in India’s cricketing journey, as they gear up for future challenges on both the home and international fronts.