By Ex-South Africa speedster Morne Morkel, renowned for being one of the most challenging bowlers Gautam Gambhir ever faced, has been appointed as India’s new bowling coach. Gambhir, who has immense respect for Morkel dating back to their playing days and their collaboration in the IPL, had Morkel as his first choice. Morkel’s impact as a coach is already well-documented, with tearaway pacer Naseem Shah being one of the biggest beneficiaries during his stint with Pakistan. Naseem, who evolved from a raw talent to a consistent threat under Morkel’s guidance, once shared a heartfelt message: “More than a coach for me,” capturing the profound influence Morkel had on his development.
Morkel’s coaching style, characterized by a calm and composed demeanor, was often seen during his time with Pakistan and later with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL. Whether monitoring Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi or guiding the LSG bowlers, Morkel was a constant presence on the boundary, ready to offer advice and encouragement. His meticulous attention to detail, combined with his ability to connect with bowlers on a personal level, has made him an invaluable asset to any team he’s part of. This approach will soon be a familiar sight during India’s games as Morkel begins his journey as the team’s bowling coach.
Pacers Set to Shine Under Morkel
Morkel’s relationship with Gambhir goes beyond the IPL. In a conversation with Gaurav Kapoor, Gambhir once revealed that Morkel was the toughest bowler he ever faced. “When he was playing for Delhi Daredevils, I would come back and say, ‘I wish we had Morne Morkel,’” Gambhir said, reflecting on the formidable challenges Morkel presented. Their on-field battles were intense, with Morkel dismissing Gambhir twice in three innings during India’s tour of 2010, though Gambhir responded with resilience in subsequent matches.
While great bowlers don’t always transition into great coaches, Morkel’s early coaching career shows promise. Known for his calmness, Morkel played the ice to Dale Steyn’s fire during their playing days, often anchoring the bowling attack with his consistency and reliability. This same calmness now aligns with Gambhir’s intensity in the dugout, creating a balanced coaching dynamic.
One of Morkel’s key roles will be to nurture the new brigade of India’s fast bowlers. While the senior line-up in Tests and ODIs—featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj—is settled, Morkel’s focus will likely be on the younger talents. He has already emphasized the importance of managing young fast bowlers like LSG’s 155-kph tearaway Mayank Yadav with care, ensuring they are not rushed into action after injuries.
Morne Morkel’s vision as India’s bowling coach will be to mold the next generation of world-class pacers, bringing his experience, calmness, and dedication to the forefront of India’s cricketing future.
