NEW DELHI: Former South African pacer Morne Morkel has been appointed the bowling coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed on Wednesday.
The former Proteas quick Morkel replaces Paras Mhambrey and will take charge from the Bangladesh Test series that starts from September 19 in Chennai.
“Yes, Morne Morkel has been appointed bowling coach of the senior India men’s team,” Jay Shah told PTI.
Morkel’s tenure commences from September 1 and the former quick will be reporting in Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy at the start of next month.
Morkel is also expected to watch the Duleep Trophy games.
The 39-year-old has previously worked with Team India chief coach Gautam Gambhir at Lucknow Super Giants for two years.
The other members of Gambhir’s support staff in the Indian team setup included assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar, Ryan Ten Doeschate and fielding coach T Dilip.
Morkel featured in 86 Tests, 117 ODIs and 44 T20Is for South Africa and took a total of 544 international wickets.
According to sources, Morkel was directly appointed on Gambhir’s recommendation ahead of other options like Lakshmipathy Balaji and R Vinay Kumar.
“The Cricket Advisory Committee’s (CAC) mandate was to interview the candidates for the head coach. When it came to 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 told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“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.”
Balaji and Vinay were not considered for the bowling coach role as it became evident that Morkel would be stepping into the position previously occupied by Mhambrey.
Morkel, a part of the legendary fast bowling duo with Dale Steyn, is well-versed in Indian conditions, having played extensively in the country.
His experience in the IPL has provided him a close look at India’s upcoming fast bowlers such as Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Yash Thakur.
Observers note that Morkel has worked significantly with Mayank Yadav over the past two IPL seasons, despite Mayank’s injury challenges.
Morkel’s primary challenge will be managing the transition as Mohammed Shami nears the end of his remarkable career, and ensuring that Jasprit Bumrah has adequate support alongside Siraj, particularly in Test cricket.
Morkel recently concluded his engagement with the Pakistan team after the ODI World Cup, leaving before his contract’s expiration.
India has historically not had a dedicated spin bowling coach, even though former director Ravi Shastri, a notable left-arm spinner, and Sairaj Bahutule from VVS Laxman’s NCA team, have occasionally worked with the senior team.
The former Proteas quick Morkel replaces Paras Mhambrey and will take charge from the Bangladesh Test series that starts from September 19 in Chennai.
“Yes, Morne Morkel has been appointed bowling coach of the senior India men’s team,” Jay Shah told PTI.
Morkel’s tenure commences from September 1 and the former quick will be reporting in Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy at the start of next month.
Morkel is also expected to watch the Duleep Trophy games.
The 39-year-old has previously worked with Team India chief coach Gautam Gambhir at Lucknow Super Giants for two years.
The other members of Gambhir’s support staff in the Indian team setup included assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar, Ryan Ten Doeschate and fielding coach T Dilip.
Morkel featured in 86 Tests, 117 ODIs and 44 T20Is for South Africa and took a total of 544 international wickets.
According to sources, Morkel was directly appointed on Gambhir’s recommendation ahead of other options like Lakshmipathy Balaji and R Vinay Kumar.
“The Cricket Advisory Committee’s (CAC) mandate was to interview the candidates for the head coach. When it came to 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 told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“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.”
Balaji and Vinay were not considered for the bowling coach role as it became evident that Morkel would be stepping into the position previously occupied by Mhambrey.
Morkel, a part of the legendary fast bowling duo with Dale Steyn, is well-versed in Indian conditions, having played extensively in the country.
His experience in the IPL has provided him a close look at India’s upcoming fast bowlers such as Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Yash Thakur.
Observers note that Morkel has worked significantly with Mayank Yadav over the past two IPL seasons, despite Mayank’s injury challenges.
Morkel’s primary challenge will be managing the transition as Mohammed Shami nears the end of his remarkable career, and ensuring that Jasprit Bumrah has adequate support alongside Siraj, particularly in Test cricket.
Morkel recently concluded his engagement with the Pakistan team after the ODI World Cup, leaving before his contract’s expiration.
India has historically not had a dedicated spin bowling coach, even though former director Ravi Shastri, a notable left-arm spinner, and Sairaj Bahutule from VVS Laxman’s NCA team, have occasionally worked with the senior team.
