Former Pakistan Coach To Join Team India Announces BCCI's Jay Shah

Former South African speedster and ex- coach of Pakistan, Morne Morkel has been named as India's bowling coach by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah. Morne Morkel was associated with Pakistan during the 2023 ODI World Cup and now will be joining the arch rival, India.

Morkel's past stints were with IPL teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Daredevils.

"Yes, Morne Morkel has been appointed bowling coach of the senior India men's team," Shah told the media.

India's first Test against Bangladesh on September 19 will mark Morkel's debut assignment with the Indian team. The 39-year-old was the top choice of new chief coach Gautam Gambhir, having worked together at Lucknow Super Giants. Morkel boasts an impressive record with 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for South Africa, amassing a total of 544 international wickets.

Morne Morkel's IPL Journey

Gambhir and Morkel have shared a strong professional bond since their time at LSG. After Gambhir left KKR, Morkel continued as the bowling coach for LSG. In the 2014 mega-auction, Gambhir, then captain of KKR, insisted on acquiring Morkel as a player. Gambhir had previously mentioned that Morkel was the bowler he feared most.

Meanwhile, former India pacer Joginder Sharma expressed doubts about Gambhir's long-term tenure as head coach due to his outspoken nature. Gambhir took over after Rahul Dravid's tenure ended post-T20 World Cup in June. Under Suryakumar Yadav's leadership, India triumphed over Sri Lanka 3-0 in Gambhir's debut T20I series as head coach.

Gautam Gambhir's Coaching Challenges

Joginder Sharma believes that despite Gambhir's initial success and positive demeanor, his tenure might be short-lived. "Gautam Gambhir team ko sambhalne waala hai lekin par mera ye manna hai ki Gautam Gambhir jyada lambe samay tak tik nahi payega (Gautam Gambhir is the one to manage the team, but I believe that Gautam Gambhir will not be able to stay for a long time)," Joginder said on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast.

The appointment of Morne Morkel brings a wealth of experience to India's coaching staff. His previous roles with various IPL teams and national sides highlight his capability and expertise in guiding bowlers at the highest level.

This new coaching setup aims to bolster India's performance in upcoming matches and tournaments. With seasoned professionals like Morkel and Gambhir at the helm, expectations are high for significant improvements in both strategy and execution on the field.

The cricketing community will closely watch how this new coaching duo influences India's game plan and overall performance in future series and championships.