Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach of the Indian cricket team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah announced on Wednesday, August 14, that Morkel will join the team starting September 1, marking a significant development in the Indian coaching staff.
Morne Morkel brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously served as the bowling coach for the Pakistan cricket team. His tenure with Pakistan, however, came to an abrupt end following the team’s disappointing performance in the 2023 World Cup. Morkel, who had signed a six-month contract with Pakistan in June 2022, decided to step down before his contract ended.
Morkel’s appointment as India’s bowling coach came at the behest of head coach Gautam Gambhir. Both Morkel and Gambhir have previously worked together with the IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants, where they developed a strong professional rapport. Gambhir, recognizing Morkel’s capabilities, recommended his name to BCCI, believing that Morkel could add significant value to the Indian bowling attack.
A video of Gambhir from the IPL days has resurfaced and gone viral after Morkel’s appointment. In the video, Gambhir praises Morkel during an interview with Gaurav Kapur, stating, “I have always wanted Morkel to be a part of my team. Of all the bowlers I have faced, Morkel was the toughest, especially from South Africa.”
Morkel will be replacing former Indian bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, whose tenure had already ended. However, due to personal reasons, Morkel was unable to join the Indian team during their tour of Sri Lanka. As a result, BCCI had temporarily appointed Sairaj Bahutule as the bowling coach for that series.
Morne Morkel’s first assignment with the Indian cricket team will be the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 19. This series will consist of two Test matches and three T20Is, with the first Test taking place in Chennai. The series is anticipated to be a challenging one, and Morkel’s expertise will be crucial in sharpening the Indian bowling unit.
Morne Morkel enjoyed a distinguished international career spanning 12 years, from 2006 to 2018. During this time, he played 86 Test matches, taking 309 wickets, 117 ODIs with 188 wickets, and 44 T20 Internationals, where he claimed 47 wickets. Known for his pace and bounce, Morkel was a formidable bowler who often troubled the best batsmen in the world.
