Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach for the Indian cricket team, according to news agency PTI, as reported by BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
Morkel’s tenure is set to begin on September 1, with his initial task being the home Test series against Bangladesh, which starts on September 19. His contract will extend until the conclusion of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
“Yes, Morne Morkel has been appointed bowling coach of the senior India men’s team,” Shah confirmed to PTI.
Morkel will report to Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy at the start of next month and is expected to observe the Duleep Trophy matches. While there, he will also connect with VVS Laxman and Troy Cooley, head of bowling at the NCA.
Morkel brings substantial experience to the role. Over his distinguished career, he played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for South Africa, claiming 309, 188, and 47 wickets respectively. Alongside Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, Morkel was part of a formidable bowling attack that dominated global cricket.
After retiring from international cricket at 33, Morkel continued with county cricket before transitioning to coaching. His notable international coaching role was with Pakistan, where he worked effectively with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah leading up to the 2023 ODI World Cup. Following Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the tournament, Morkel chose not to continue with the team.
Morkel has a long-standing connection with head coach Gautam Gambhir. They played together at Kolkata Knight Riders for three seasons and later worked together at Lucknow Super Giants, where Gambhir was the mentor and Morkel served as the bowling coach. Morkel continued with LSG as the bowling coach even after Gambhir moved to KKR ahead of the current season.
Morkel will join assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, and fielding coach T Dilip. Nayar, Dilip, and ten Doeschate were part of the support staff during India’s tour of Sri Lanka. Morkel, who was in Australia with his family, could not be included due to ongoing discussions.
During the Sri Lanka tour, Sairaj Bahutulle from the NCA served as the interim bowling coach.
Morkel replaces former India pacer Paras Mhambrey, who had a successful tenure under head coach Rahul Dravid, culminating with India’s T20 World Cup victory in June.
An official announcement from the BCCI regarding the appointment of any additional support staff is awaited. Morkel’s coaching career with the Indian team will commence with the home season, which includes two Tests and three T20Is against Bangladesh, followed by three Tests against New Zealand. His major challenge will be the tour of Australia in December-January, where India will aim for a third consecutive Test series win, building on their previous successes in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
