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Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel has been appointed Team India's new bowling coach. Morkel will join head coach Gautam Gambhir, assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, and fielding coach T Dilip in India's new coaching setup.
As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, the former Proteas pacer's appointment as Team India's bowling coach was confirmed on Wednesday, August 14 by BCCI president Jay Shah. The 39-year-old was earlier Pakistan's bowling coach.
As per reports, head coach Gambhir recommended the former South African cricketer for the post of India's bowling coach. Morkel was part of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise in the IPL in 2022 and 2023. During these two seasons, Gambhir mentored the KL Rahul-led franchise.
Incidentally, Gambhir had his fair struggles against Morkel during his playing days. A throwback video on YouTube shows the latter giving the former opener a working over during the initial stages of the second India-South Africa Test in Centurion during the 2010-11 series.
Watch video below
Virender Sehwag was sent back by Dale Steyn for 1. Gambhir spent more than an hour at the crease but never looked comfortable. He tentatively poked at a delivery from Morkel outside off stump, then fended a short ball aimed at his rib cage rather awkwardly towards the on side.
The Indian opener had some luck as he gloved a snorter from the lanky South African pacer to the keeper. The Proteas bowler, keeper Mark Boucher, and close-in fielders all went up in unison. The umpire, however, did not raise his finger. Replays showed that Gambhir had touched the ball with his glove, but the southpaw survived as there was no DRS.
Gambhir continued to have a tough time as Morkel refused to give any freebies and kept things extremely tight. Incidentally, Gambhir's predecessor as head coach of the Indian team, Rahul Dravid, was at the other end during the extremely hostile spell.
Morkel was rewarded for his efforts as he eventually dismissed Gambhir for a labored 5 off 43 balls. The Indian opening batter tentatively nicked a length ball and gave a catch to slip. India were bowled out for 136 and went on to lose the Test by an innings and 25 runs.
Morne Morkel's bowling stats in international cricket
A long-time bowling partner of Steyn, Morkel represented South Africa in 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is, claiming 309, 188, and 47 wickets, respectively. The 39-year-old picked up eight five-fers in Test matches, with best innings figures of 6-23.
He averaged 25.32 in ODIs, with two five-fers and seven four-wicket hauls. The former Proteas pacer averaged 25.34 in T20Is, with a best of 4-17.
