How Morne Morkel Was Chosen Over Two Former Indian Stars To Become Men's Bowling Coach – Reports Reveal
Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel (X)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially appointed former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel as the Indian cricket team's new bowling coach.
His appointment aligns with the recent selection of Gautam Gambhir as the team's head coach. The duo previously collaborated at Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where Morkel served as the bowling coach and Gambhir was the team's mentor.
Why Gautam Gambhir Selected Morne Morkel As India's Bowling Coach?
According to the reports of NDTV Sports, Morne Morkel was Gambhir's preferred and first choice for the role.
Despite interest from former Indian cricketers like Lakshmipathy Balaji and Vinay Kumar for the position, Morkel was ultimately chosen by the BCCI.
"The Cricket Advisory Committee's (CAC) mandate was to interview the candidates for the head coach. When it came to choice of support staff, it was imperative that Gambhir's choice prevailed. He has worked with Morne and thinks of him highly as a bowling coach," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Morne Morkel will replace Paras Mhambrey as India's bowling coach. His tenure is set to begin with the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, which is scheduled to start on September 19 in Chennai.
The contract extends through to the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be held in South Africa.
Morne Morkel's Cricketing Experience
The decision to appoint Morne Morkel as the bowling coach was not just influenced by previous working relationship with Gambhir but also by Morkel's extensive experience and expertise as a former South African fast bowler.
His international career, which includes 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is, showcased his prowess as a pace bowler, making him a valuable asset to the Indian cricket team's coaching staff.
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