Former South African pace great Morne Morkel has been appointed as the Indian cricket team’s new bowling coach. This significant addition to the coaching staff comes as part of the support team chosen by head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Morne Morkel reunites with Gautam Gambhir
Morkel will take over as the bowling coach from the Bangladesh series, which begins with the opening Test in Chennai on September 19. His contract extends until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Morkel, aged 39, replaces Paras Mhambrey in this crucial role. He was Gambhir’s preferred choice, having previously worked with him at the Lucknow Super Giants during the Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons.
Morkel brings extensive experience, having played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for South Africa, amassing a total of 544 international wickets.
Morkel will report to Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy at the start of next month. He will closely observe the Duleep Trophy games and interact with key figures like VVS Laxman and Troy Cooley, the head of bowling at NCA. His familiarity with Indian conditions gained through playing in India and his IPL stint, will be invaluable.
Gambhir reunites with Morne Morkel again. https://t.co/xqOt3ecwky pic.twitter.com/EGWMdVWSVP
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) August 14, 2024
Gambhir’s choice of Morkel aligns with the upcoming challenges: Australia series Down Under in late November. Five-Test tour of England next year, with a potential sixth match if India reaches the World Test Championship final.
Morne Morkel’s appointment adds a wealth of knowledge and expertise to India’s bowling setup, and fans eagerly await his impact on the team’s performance.
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