'Focus is to bring...': Morne Morkel's clear cut take on Team India's plans for ODI series against South Africa

India will look to coat their wounds of embarrassing Test series sweep against Proteas with a dominant show in the upcoming ODI series against the visitors, starting from November 30. But before the action starts, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has made his intentions clear that he wants to bring the momentum back into Indian dressing room, heading into the three-match ODI series against Proteas.

Morkel emphasised that the squad must quickly reset and refocus its energy on white-ball cricket. India enter the upcoming three-match ODI series following an embarrassing 0-2 Test series whitewash against South Africa.

It was a disappointing two weeks for us: Morne Morkel

Speaking ahead of the ODI series opener, Morkel acknowledged that the mental transition from the Test format to white-ball cricket is inherently demanding. However, he insisted that the entire group is determined to make that shift and regain their winning form immediately.

“It was a disappointing two weeks for us, but we had a couple of days now to reflect. The important thing now is to give all our energy into the white-ball team. We've been playing a lot of good white-ball cricket over the last couple of years. I'm excited for the next couple of weeks. Representing India comes first, regardless of format," Morkel said at the pre-match press conference.

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Morkel issued a caution, warning that the South Africa team would be feeling buoyant and confident, having just secured a victory in their recent Test series.

“A change into coloured clothing and a change of ball brings different energy. But South Africa have momentum, and a confident Protea side is dangerous. For us, it's important to start well over the next week or two and put the last couple of weeks behind us,” he added.

'Focus is to bring momentum back into the Indian dressing room after a disappointing two weeks'

While the 2026 T20 World Cup remains a significant event on the horizon, Morkel dismissed the suggestion that the upcoming ODI series should be treated merely as a preparation ground for the T20 showpiece.

“Preparation for the T20 World Cup is one thing, but every time you put on an India jersey, you represent a lot of people, the fans waiting outside the gates, cheering us on. For me, the focus is to bring momentum back into the Indian dressing room after a disappointing two weeks, and the way to do that is to play good, solid white-ball cricket,” he further stated.

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When asked by the media whether both KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant would be included in the starting XI together, Morne Morkel chose to avoid the topic, stating clearly that he would not comment on selection matters.

"My department is bowling. I don't get involved in selection. We've got selectors and the captain to handle that,” Morkel concluded.

India’s ODI squad:

Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel

South Africa ODI squad:

Temba Bavuma (Captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaja, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen