The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday, August 14 confirmed the appointment of former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel as Team India’s bowling coach. However, the news was long due since former Indian cricketer, Gautam Gambhir took over the reigns from Rahul Dravid as India Head Coach.
Although the BCCI is yet to make an official announcement around the same, BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah confirmed Cricbuzz of this development. Moreover, it is to be understood that Morkel will join the side ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh series, which is set to kickstart in September 2024 as his contract is scheduled to begin from September 1.
It is to be noted that Morkel and Gautam Gambhir have shared successful partnership previously. The two were together at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and were then together as a part of the coaching staff in Lucknow Super Giants. Moreover, the 39-year-old Protean international has played a key role in the national side across formats.
In his cricketing career spanning from 2006 till 2018, Morkel played 86 Tests, along with 117 ODIs and 44 T20Is. In the longest format of the game, he took 309 wickets at an economy of 3.10 and bowling average of 27.66, whereas he has 188 and 47 wickets to his name in ODIs and T20Is respectively.