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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the appointment of Morne Morkel as India's new bowling coach. The former South African fast bowler, known for his coaching expertise with the Pakistan cricket team and the Lucknow Super Giants, will hold the position until 2027.
Morne Morkel Appointed India's Bowling Coach
Morkel's appointment comes at the recommendation of head coach Gautam Gambhir, with whom he previously collaborated at the Lucknow Super Giants. With an impressive international career spanning 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is, Morkel brings a wealth of experience to the role.
The South African coach is set to commence his duties at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru next month. His initial responsibilities will include observing the Duleep Trophy matches and engaging with key figures such as VVS Laxman and Troy Cooley, the head of bowling at the NCA.
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Reports suggest that Morne Morkel's appointment as India's bowling coach was a direct result of head coach Gautam Gambhir's recommendation. Other potential candidates, including Lakshmipathy Balaji and R Vinay Kumar, were reportedly overlooked in favor of Morkel.
"The Cricket Advisory Committee's (CAC) mandate was to interview the candidates for the head coach. When it came to the choice of support staff, it was imperative that Gambhir's choice prevailed. He has worked with Morne and thinks of him highly as a bowling coach," a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI.
Morne Morkel will begin his role as India's bowling coach during the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. However, the true measure of his impact will be evident during the team's tour of Australia, where they will strive for a historic third consecutive Test series victory.
"Also with the big series against Australia coming up Down Under from last week of November, there isn't a better choice than the South African, who has himself enjoyed fair bit of success over there. Also there will be the five-Test tour of England next year with a potential sixth match if India reach WTC final."
Morkel Selected Over Other Candidates
Reports indicate that Lakshmipathy Balaji and R Vinay Kumar were not considered for the role of India's bowling coach once Morne Morkel emerged as the preferred choice. The decision to appoint Morkel was likely influenced by the desire to build upon the success achieved under his predecessor, Paras Mhambrey. As one half of the formidable fast bowling pair alongside Dale Steyn, Morkel is a highly respected figure in the cricketing world. His extensive experience playing in India has provided him with valuable insights into local conditions. Additionally, his coaching stint in the IPL has afforded him the opportunity to closely observe India's emerging fast bowlers, including promising talents like Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Yash Thakur.
Many experts believe that Morkel developed a strong working relationship with Mayank Yadav during their time together at the IPL, despite the latter's injury setbacks.
Morkel Faces Challenges in India Role
Morne Morkel's tenure as India's bowling coach presents several challenges. As Mohammed Shami approaches the latter stages of his career, Morkel will need to effectively manage the transition. Moreover, Jasprit Bumrah requires more consistent support, particularly in Test cricket, beyond Mohammed Siraj. Morkel's previous coaching experience includes a stint with the Pakistan cricket team until the end of the ODI World Cup last year. Notably, he resigned from the position before his contract concluded. Unlike many cricket teams, India has historically not employed a dedicated spin bowling coach. While former director Ravi Shastri was a skilled left-arm spinner as a player, the current setup involves Sairaj Bahutule, a member of the NCA coaching staff, occasionally accompanying the senior team.
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