New Bowling Coach for the Indian men's cricket team

Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach for the Indian men's cricket team, as reported by Cricbuzz. Morkel will join the coaching staff on September 1, just ahead of India's home series against Bangladesh, which kicks off with the first Test in Chennai on September 19.

Morkel will collaborate with head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate. His appointment follows his inability to join India’s recent tour of Sri Lanka due to personal reasons, which led to Sairaj Bahutule stepping in as the interim bowling coach for that series.

At 39 years old, Morkel brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as the bowling coach for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL and the Durban Super Giants in the SA20 league. He has also worked with the Pakistan men’s cricket team in a similar capacity.

Morkel and Gambhir's working relationship began at LSG in the IPL, and it is reported that Gambhir played a pivotal role in recommending him for the bowling coach position. Their connection is further reinforced by their time as teammates at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for three IPL seasons.

During his playing career from 2006 to 2018, Morkel was known for his height (6'5") and his ability to generate extra bounce. He took 309 wickets in 86 Test matches at an impressive average of 27.67 and 188 wickets in 117 ODIs at an average of 25.32. Morkel's partnership with Dale Steyn was particularly crucial in South Africa’s bowling success during this period.

Morkel’s expertise and experience are expected to be vital for the Indian bowling unit as they gear up for important series, including the home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand, as well as the challenging tour of Australia.