"Snatch the BGT, CT, and WTC within the next year"- Fans hail Morne Morkel's appointment as Team India bowling coach

Former South African pacer Morne Morkel has been appointed Team India's bowling coach as per reports from Cricbuzz on Wednesday, August 14. His tenure with the Indian side is set to begin on September 1.

Morkel was previously Pakistan's bowling coach for a brief period until November last year. The 39-year-old has also been the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowling coach since the franchise's entry into the IPL in 2022.

Morkel worked with LSG under the mentorship of current India head coach Gautam Gambhir in the 2022 and 2023 IPL. It was widely reported after Gambhir's appointment as India's head coach that Morkel would join him as the bowling coach.

The duo also played with each other for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2014 to 2016. Morkel helped KKR win their second IPL title in 2014 with Gambhir as captain.

Gambhir's stint as head coach began in the recently concluded white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, where India won the T20I series 3-0 but lost the ODIs 0-2.

Fans on Twitter reacted to Morne Morkel's appointment as India's bowling coach with the following reactions:

Fans continued giving their opinions on Morkel's appointment as Indian bowling coach with one saying:

"The Indian pace outfit (and those in the sidelines) should be buzzing to pick up tips from someone like Morne Morkel."

"Wait, Morne Morkel is the bowling coach!? Waah, BCCI, how many trophies loading!?," said a fan.

"Morne Morkel's in charge as India's new bowling coach. Mission? Snatch the BGT, CT, and WTC within the next year. By any means necessary, let’s make it happen," tweeted a fan.

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Morne Morkel enjoyed an illustrious playing career for South Africa and in the IPL

Morne Morkel is renowned as one of South Africa's greatest bowlers across formats. The 39-year-old is sixth all-time in wickets for South Africa with 535 scalps in 241 matches.

Morkel was particularly lethal in Test cricket, finishing with 309 wickets at an average of 27.66, including eight 5-wicket hauls.

The tall South African pacer also lit up the IPL with his inimitable bowling from 2009 to 2016. Morkel played for three franchises - Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.

He finished his IPL career with 77 wickets at an average of 27.13 and an economy of 7.69 in 70 games. During Kolkata Knight Riders' title run in 2014, Morkel bagged 12 wickets at an economy of 7.58.

The champion pacer also won the Purple Cap with the Delhi Capitals in 2012, picking up an incredible 25 wickets in 16 outings.