Morkel seeks to keep India’s well-oiled bowling apparatus operational

As Bangladesh prepares to face India in a Test series, former South African bowler Morne Morkel has been appointed as the Indian team’s bowling coach. The first Test is set to commence on October 19 in Chennai. Morkel, who has recently taken on this role, shared his goals and expectations in a video message posted by the BCCI.

In his message, Morkel expressed his admiration for the professionalism of the Indian players. He stated, “During the first day of practice, I observed the cricketers and was amazed at the level of professionalism shown by the Indian team. This is a positive sign.”

Morkel, who has prior experience working with Indian players through his coaching roles in the IPL, emphasized the importance of quickly adapting and building strong relationships with the team. He said, “I have now joined a new setup and am looking forward to an exciting journey with the Indian team. Building good relationships with the players quickly is crucial. I have played against some of these players and am familiar with a few from my time in the IPL. Building friendships and connections is very important to me.”

Regarding his objectives, Morkel mentioned, “I am not in favor of making too many changes. I do not follow long-term planning; instead, I focus on making small, incremental improvements. The senior players in the team, such as Rohit, Virat, Bumrah, and Jadeja, will lead the way, and my role is to support them.”

Morkel's appointment was recommended to the BCCI by India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Reflecting on receiving the offer, Morkel shared, “After finishing the call, I sat and thought about it for about five minutes. I first called my father to share the news, even before informing my wife. Typically, I would tell my wife first, but this time I spoke to my father. It was a special moment for me as a cricket fan, realizing what was about to happen. I enjoyed those 5 to 7 minutes before sharing it with my family. It’s a great opportunity, and I am thrilled to be here.”