Morne Morkel has officially been appointed as the bowling coach for the senior India men’s cricket team, with his contract set to commence on September 1. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Jay Shah, confirmed the news, marking a significant addition to the Indian coaching roster.
Morkel, a former South African cricketer renowned for his towering height and aggressive fast bowling, was unable to join the Indian team on their recent tour of Sri Lanka due to personal reasons. During his absence, Sairaj Bahutule filled in on an interim basis for the six white-ball matches played in Sri Lanka. However, Morkel is poised to take on his coaching responsibilities in time for the forthcoming home series against Bangladesh, which will begin with the Chennai Test on September 19.
At 39 years of age, Morkel joins an Indian coaching staff headed by Gautam Gambhir. Interestingly, the two have a history of successful collaboration. They previously worked together at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gambhir, who served as a mentor for the franchise for two years, is credited with recommending Morkel to the BCCI for the role of bowling coach. As reported by Cricbuzz, this recommendation played a pivotal role in Morkel’s appointment.
During their time at LSG, Gambhir and Morkel built a solid professional relationship, further solidified by their shared commitment to the sport and mutual respect. After Gambhir moved on to join the Kolkata Knight Riders and head coach Andy Flower took charge of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Morkel stayed with the Lucknow Super Giants. He then worked under the new head coach Justin Langer, ensuring continuity and leveraging his expertise to benefit the team’s bowling lineup.
Morkel’s coaching journey is studded with various significant assignments. He had an impressive stint as the bowling coach for the Pakistan team during the ODI World Cup held in India last year. However, he decided to resign from the role a few months before his contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was due to conclude.
. His departure from the PCB opened the door for this exciting opportunity with the Indian national team.
The Indian coaching setup, under Gambhir’s leadership, consists of notable figures such as Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate serving as assistant coaches. T Dilip, who had been part of the previous coaching regime led by Rahul Dravid, continues in his role as fielding coach. With the addition of Morkel, the coaching staff appears well-rounded and primed to elevate the performance of the Indian bowlers.
As Morkel steps into his new role, there is a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement among Indian cricket fans and analysts. His vast experience as an international cricketer and his previous coaching roles across different teams provide him with a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge to bring to the Indian bowling unit. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster India’s bowling attack, which will be particularly crucial as the team gears up to face Bangladesh and other formidable opponents in the near future.
Gautam Gambhir, who played a crucial role in Morkel’s appointment, expressed his optimism about working alongside the South African again. He believes that Morkel’s understanding of modern cricket dynamics and his ability to relate to players will be invaluable assets. Gambhir’s own experience as a mentor and coach, coupled with Morkel’s technical know-how, is expected to create a robust training and development environment for the Indian bowlers.
The upcoming home series against Bangladesh will be the first real test for Morkel in his new capacity. His performance and influence on the Indian bowlers will be under close scrutiny as fans and critics alike look forward to seeing how the new coaching appointment will impact the team’s overall performance. There is a strong sense of belief that Morkel’s presence will bring about a positive change, offering innovative strategies and rigorous training regimes to enhance the effectiveness and consistency of India’s bowling attack.
In conclusion, the appointment of Morne Morkel as the bowling coach of the senior India men’s cricket team is a notable development. With a background rich in both playing and coaching experiences, Morkel is expected to make a significant contribution to the team’s success. As he embraces this new chapter in his coaching career, the Indian cricket community eagerly awaits the positive changes and improvements that he is likely to introduce.