Ex-South Africa pacer Morne Morkel was named India men’s team bowling coach. He will begin his maiden stint with the BCCI as the bowling coach from September 1. His first assignment as bowling coach will be India’s two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. This appointment marks the reunion of Morkel with India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. The duo were teammates in the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise for three seasons in the IPL. They were also together as part of the coaching setup of the Lucknow Super Giants.
“Yes, Morne Morkel has been appointed bowling coach of the senior India men’s team,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed to PTI. There were speculations about Morkel’s appointment months ago whe Gambhir was named as the head coach of the Indian team. Morkel officially replaced Paras Mhambrey as Team India’s bowling coach. The BCCI turned their heads towards a foreign coach after almost a deacde after former head coach Duncan Fletcher.
Morkel’s experience in coaching
Morkel also coached Babar Azam-led Pakistan side during the ODI World Cup in 2023. He parted ways with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) months before his contract expired. Under Morkel’s coaching, Pakistan failed to reach the semi-final of the ODI World Cup and ended up in sixth spot in the points table amid a forgetful outing. Morkel, alongside Gambhir, spearheaded the world-class coaching roster of the Lucknow Super Giants.
Gambhir departed two years after serving as LSG’s mentor and Morkel remained associated with the franchise as their bowling coach. He worked with the newly-appointed head coach Justin Langer and nourished young Indian talents like Mayank Yadav. Morkel has previously worked with Namibia, Durban’s Super Giants in competitive cricket. He was also associated with the New Zealand women’s team at the T20 World Cup in South Africa.
The Proteas stalwart joins as India’s bowling coach
Morne Morkel was a key fast bowler for South Africa from 2006 to 2018. Standing tall at 6’5″, he used his height to generate extra bounce, making life difficult for batsmen. Morkel’s ability to bowl at high speeds and consistently hit good areas made him a crucial part of South Africa’s bowling attack.
In his career, Morkel played 86 Test matches, taking 309 wickets, and 117 One Day Internationals (ODIs), where he took 188 wickets. He formed a powerful partnership with fellow fast bowler Dale Steyn, together often leading South Africa to victory with their aggressive bowling.
Morkel was known for his dedication and hard work on the field, earning respect from both teammates and opponents. He retired from international cricket in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of skill and determination that made him one of South Africa’s finest bowlers.