Morne Morkel's Job Confirmed Under Gambhir; India's Bowling Coach Set To Join Team Post SL Series
Morne Morkel alongside Gautam Gambhir in a frame (x.com)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has almost finalised former South African seamer Morne Morkel as India's next bowling coach under the new team management led by head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The 39-year-old South African will not begin with tenure with the Indian team alongside Gambhir and company, but he will be available soon after the conclusion of the Sri Lanka tour.
“The formalities haven’t been completed yet but they will hopefully be done soon and Morne Morkel is likely to come on board after the Sri Lanka series,” says a source tracking developments as quoted by News18.com.
As reported earlier by various publications, the names of some former Indian pacers—like Zaheer Khan, Vinay Kumar, and Lakshmipathy Balaji—have been circulating in the media for the bowling coach's job. However, it is believed that Gambhir wants his former LSG colleague Morne on his coaching staff.
Morkel, who last played for South Africa in 2018, was with the Pakistan team, but he resigned from his post after the Babar Azam-led side's exit from the 2023 World Cup.
Moreover, the former Pakistan bowling coach has also served tenures with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL and Durban's Super Giants in the SA20, where Gambhir was there with the Proteas legend.
Additionally, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate will start as Gambhir's assistant coaches in the new management. Whereas, T Dilip will continue as the fielding coach for the Indian cricket team.