Morne Morkel, the esteemed former South Africa fast bowler, has been recently appointed as the Indian men's team bowling coach, a move that was officially announced by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. This significant change sees Morkel taking over from the previous coach, Paras Mhambrey. The addition of Morkel, alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir, assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, and fielding coach T Dilip, now completes India's coaching ensemble.
The decision to bring Morkel on board followed a thorough selection process where he emerged as the top choice, competing with the likes of R Vinay Kumar, the former Indian seamer. Interestingly, Morkel's nomination was bolstered by the recommendation of Gambhir himself, with whom he had collaborated during their stint at the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. Morkel also brings in experience from his role with the Pakistan team until recently.
Morkel steps into his new role at a crucial juncture for the Indian team, tasked with maintaining the strength of the fast bowling unit as they gear up for a series of challenging Test matches both at home and abroad. With the upcoming fixtures including a pivotal tour of Australia, Morkel's expertise will be vital in shaping India's bowling strategy. The development also hints at a potential expansion of the support staff to include specialized spin coaching, possibly involving former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule.
With an illustrious playing career that spanned 12 years, featuring 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is, Morkel is no stranger to the intricacies of international cricket. Having amassed a remarkable tally of 544 wickets during his playing days, Morkel has since transitioned into a sought-after bowling consultant, lending his expertise to various teams worldwide. His wealth of experience, combined with his recent coaching roles, positions him as a valuable asset in India's quest for bowling excellence.