Morne Morkel Named India's Bowling Coach

Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel has been named the bowling coach of the Indian men's cricket team, as confirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Wednesday. Morkel will report directly to head coach Gautam Gambhir, with whom he previously collaborated at the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League. His first assignment will be the upcoming two-Test home series against Bangladesh next month. This marks Morkel's second role as a bowling coach for an international team, having previously worked with Pakistan. Gambhir specifically requested Morkel's inclusion in his support staff during his interview for the head coach position, emphasizing the importance of having a trusted and experienced bowling coach on board. Morkel, renowned for his height and pace, was a significant figure in South African cricket from 2006 to 2018. Standing at 6'5", he was part of a formidable fast-bowling trio alongside Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. Over his career, Morkel played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is, claiming more than 300 wickets in Test matches alone. With 535 wickets across all formats, Morkel ranks sixth among South Africa's most successful bowlers. After retiring from international cricket, he participated in various T20 leagues and transitioned into coaching, where he aims to share his extensive knowledge and experience with the next generation of cricketers.