Morne Morkel Finds India Wonderful; Shares Insights On Working With Young Pacers
Morne Morkel with Indian Team (Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com)
Former South African pacer Morne Morkel has made an impressive start in his new role as the bowling coach of the Indian men’s cricket team during their two-match Test series against Bangladesh.
Morne Morkel Shares His Journey With Indian Team
After years of competing against India on the field, Morkel now finds himself relishing the opportunity to contribute to the team’s success from the coaching bench. Reflecting on his first week in this position, Morkel expressed excitement over the role change.
"What a wonderful week. I have always played against India and followed India after my playing days. It's wonderful to be in this environment and see how the guys operate."
Morkel, who has transitioned smoothly from an elite player to an effective coach, emphasised the importance of developing experience within the bowling ranks, especially with more five-Test series on the horizon.
"There is a lot of experience in this dressing room, but for the guys coming in, it's essential to ensure they fit in and evolve. They need to start thinking about setting goals," he said.
He further added that his coaching philosophy focuses on creating a supportive environment where players are encouraged to grow and learn from their experiences.
"I am a believer in mapping out a journey for direction. If they can take it series by series and focus on improvement, it will be beneficial. The key is to make new bowlers, like [Akash] Deep and [Yash] Dayal, feel at home. Once you allow them the space to learn and make mistakes, it creates a great environment."
Will The Indian Team Benefit Under Morkel's Guidance?
The Indian bowling unit certainly benefited from Morne Morkel's guidance in the series opener in Chennai, where they delivered a commanding performance.
Jasprit Bumrah led the charge with a devastating four-wicket haul in Bangladesh’s first innings, while Ravichandran Ashwin followed up with a sensational six-wicket performance in the second innings, helping India secure a comprehensive victory.
The win set the tone for what promises to be a successful series for India, with their bowlers dominating in all departments.