In a significant development for Indian cricket, former South African pacer Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach for the senior Indian men’s team. The announcement was officially made by the BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. Morkel’s contract is set to begin on September 1, marking a new chapter in his prolific career both as a player and a coach.
Morne Morkel, 39, was unable to join the Indian team on their recent tour of Sri Lanka due to personal issues. Consequently, Sairaj Bahutule stepped in to serve as the interim bowling coach for the duration of the six white-ball matches that took place. Now, Morkel is all set to take on his new duties for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh. This series will commence with the Chennai Test scheduled to start on September 19.
Morkel is no stranger to the Indian cricket environment. He has previously worked closely with Gautam Gambhir at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This prior working relationship is believed to have played a pivotal role in his appointment. Information first reported by Cricbuzz suggests that it was Gambhir who recommended Morkel to the BCCI for the role of bowling coach.
During their time together at LSG, Morkel and Gambhir developed a strong professional bond that proved fruitful for the franchise. Gambhir served as a mentor for LSG for two years, a period during which Morkel provided his expertise as the bowling coach. Even after Gambhir left to join Kolkata Knight Riders and the then-head coach Andy Flower moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Morkel remained with LSG. He continued his role as bowling coach under the new head coach, Justin Langer, thereby ensuring stability in the coaching setup.
Beyond his work in the IPL, Morkel’s coaching credentials are robust. He had a brief stint as the bowling coach for the Pakistan national team during last year’s ODI World Cup held in India.
. However, his tenure with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was cut short as he resigned from his position months before the contract’s expiry. Despite this, his contributions to the team were well-appreciated, adding another feather to his coaching cap.
The current Indian coaching team, led by Gautam Gambhir, now constitutes a formidable lineup of mentors and coaches. Alongside Morkel, Gambhir’s team includes Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches. T Dilip, who served under the previous regime led by Rahul Dravid, will continue his role as the fielding coach.
The inclusion of Morkel into the coaching squad brings a wealth of experience and expertise, both as a player and a coach. His career as a player was marked by exceptional performances for South Africa, where he was known for his pace and ability to generate bounce, making him a formidable opponent on various pitches around the world. Transitioning into coaching, he carried forward this technical knowledge and passion for the game, earning him roles in various prestigious cricketing setups.
The forthcoming series against Bangladesh will serve as an immediate testing ground for Morkel’s integration into the Indian coaching framework. The expectations are high, given his background and the critical phase India finds itself in, gearing up for a busy cricketing calendar. Fans and cricketing pundits alike are keen to see how Morkel’s strategies will influence the Indian bowling attack, known for its diversity and prowess.
Morne Morkel’s appointment is not just a strategic move but also an endorsement of the increasing globalization and exchange of cricketing techniques among nations. It showcases the importance of leveraging diverse experiences to bolster the capabilities of the team. His role will undoubtedly be pivotal as India aims to solidify its position in the cricketing world and achieve new heights.
As the countdown begins for the home series against Bangladesh, all eyes will be on Morkel and his approach to enhancing the performance of the Indian bowlers. With the synergy between Morkel and Gambhir already well-established, the Indian cricketing fraternity is optimistic about the prospects and excited for the upcoming challenges.