Former South Africa pacer joins Gambhir's staff as India's new bowling coach

Former South African pace bowler Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach for the Indian cricket team, joining Gautam Gambhir's recently formed coaching staff. Morkel will make his debut as India’s bowling coach in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, which begins in Chennai on September 19.

At 39, Morkel brings a wealth of experience to the role. He retired from international cricket in 2018 but has continued to make significant contributions to the sport as a coach. His previous coaching stint includes serving as the bowling coach for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. Morkel’s addition to the Indian coaching team was influenced by Gambhir’s recommendation, reflecting their strong working relationship.

Morkel's most recent coaching role was with the Pakistan team as their pace bowling coach during the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, he parted ways with Pakistan before his contract’s end following the team’s underwhelming performance in the World Cup. Gambhir, who has been appointed as India’s head coach, played a pivotal role in Morkel's recruitment by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), highlighting the synergy between the two.

In his international career, Morkel has represented South Africa in 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is. His knowledge and experience in pace bowling will be invaluable for India as they prepare for their home series against Bangladesh. Following the Test series, the two teams will also face off in a three-match T20I series.

Morkel’s arrival was marked by his presence at the Indian team's practice camp, which started recently. His role as a coach is expected to bring a fresh perspective and expertise to India’s bowling department, complementing the strategies set forth by Gambhir and his coaching team.