Morne Morkel, the former South African pacer, has taken over as the bowling coach of the Indian Test team. His primary objective is to maintain the stability of the team’s bowling unit, which has been a key factor in India’s recent success in Test cricket.
Morkel’s appointment comes at a crucial time for India, as they prepare for a challenging five-Test series against Australia. The Indian pace attack has been severely handicapped by the absence of Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from heel surgery. Without Shami’s experience and skill, India will need to rely heavily on the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and the uncapped quartet of Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Morkel’s task is to ensure that these young bowlers are ready for the rigors of Test cricket in Australia. He will need to help them adjust to the different conditions, particularly the extra bounce and pace of Australian pitches. Morkel’s own experience of bowling in Australia will be invaluable in this regard.
In addition to technical guidance, Morkel will also need to provide mental support to his bowlers. The pressure of playing in Australia can be immense, and Morkel will need to help his charges stay focused and confident.
Morkel’s appointment has been met with optimism by the Indian cricket fraternity. He is widely respected as a bowling coach, and his experience and knowledge will be a valuable asset to the Indian team.
