Former South African pacer Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach of the Indian cricket team, with his tenure set to begin on September 1, 2024.
This announcement marks a significant addition to the coaching staff as India prepares for upcoming international challenges, including a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19.
Background and Experience
Morkel, who enjoyed a successful international career from 2006 to 2018, played 86 Tests, 117 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 44 T20 Internationals for South Africa.
He is renowned for his impressive bowling statistics, having taken 309 wickets in Test cricket at an average of 27.66, along with 188 wickets in ODIs and 47 in T20Is.
His ability to form a formidable bowling partnership, particularly with Dale Steyn, has been pivotal in many of South Africa’s successes during his playing days.
After retiring from international cricket, Morkel transitioned into coaching, initially serving as the bowling coach for the Pakistan national team, where he played a crucial role in developing young talents such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
His coaching stint with the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) further solidified his reputation, particularly under the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir, who is now the head coach of the Indian team.
Reunion with Gautam Gambhir
Morkel’s appointment is notable for his previous working relationship with Gautam Gambhir, as both were teammates at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and later collaborated at Lucknow Super Giants.
Their familiarity is expected to foster a cohesive coaching environment, which could be beneficial for the Indian bowling unit as they aim to enhance their performance on the international stage.
India Coaching Staff Structure
With Morkel joining the team, the current coaching staff includes:
- Head Coach: Gautam Gambhir
- Assistant Coaches: Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate
- Fielding Coach: T Dilip
Morkel replaces Paras Mhambrey as the bowling coach, bringing a fresh perspective and experience to the role.
