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In a latest development, former South African speedster Morne Morkel has been appointed as the bowling coach of the Indian men's team (senior). Morkel's appointment was pretty much on the cards, with head coach Gautam Gambhir expressing his strong desire to have the South African on board.
Morkel brings immense experience as a former international cricketer. While he has not had much experience as a coach yet, he has had stints with Pakistan, the New Zealand Women's team, and a few other T20 franchises in India and overseas as well.
While the appointment comes as a good move for Indian cricket, it is not without its fair share of challenges. Morne Morkel will be tested as the bowling coach of the Indian team and it will be interesting to see how he performs.
That said, here are some major challenges for Morne Morkel as India's bowling coach.
3 major challenges for Morne Morkel as India's bowling coach
#3 Managing expectations and pressure
Cricket is a religion in India, and the national team is under constant media glare. Morne Morkel must effectively manage public expectations. He needs to create a supportive environment for the bowlers, shielding them from undue pressure.
India have a strong batting lineup, often putting pressure on the bowlers to deliver. Morkel must instill a winning mentality among the bowlers, emphasizing the importance of taking wickets and defending totals.
While achieving immediate success is crucial, Morkel must also focus on developing a sustainable bowling attack for the future. This involves identifying and nurturing young talent, and implementing long-term development plans.
#2 Mentoring a diverse bowling attack
India possess a mix of pacers with varying styles and strengths. Morkel must create a cohesive bowling unit by effectively utilizing each bowler's skills. This involves understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and developing strategies to complement each other.
Excelling in death overs is a critical aspect of modern cricket. Morkel's experience in this area can be invaluable. He must guide bowlers to execute yorkers, slower balls, and variations under pressure.
#1 Adapting to the Indian pace bowling ecosystem
Indian pacers often play a relentless schedule, including domestic cricket, IPL, and international matches. Morkel must devise strategies to prevent burnout and injuries while maintaining peak performance. This involves careful planning of workloads, rest periods, and fitness regimes.
India offers a diverse range of pitches, from flat decks to green tops. Morkel will need to develop bowling plans tailored to different conditions.
Further, India has a vast pool of fast bowling talent, but identifying and nurturing raw potential is crucial. Morkel will need to establish a robust scouting system and implement effective coaching. Preparing a good bench will also be key to giving the team a solid attack beyond the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Siraj, and others.
