The 39-year-old Morkel was the top choice of new chief coach Gautam Gambhir, with whom he previously collaborated at the Lucknow Super Giants.
Former South African pace star Morne Morkel has been appointed as the Indian cricket team’s new bowling coach, BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed to PTI on Wednesday. This move completes the support staff lineup for head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had specifically requested Morkel for the role.
At 39, Morkel takes over from Paras Mhambrey and will begin his tenure with the Bangladesh series, which kicks off with the opening Test in Chennai on September 19. His appointment extends through the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Shah confirmed, “Yes, Morne Morkel has been appointed as the bowling coach of the senior India men’s team.”
Joining Morkel on Gambhir’s support staff are assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach Ryan Ten Doeschate. Morkel’s selection was influenced by his previous collaboration with Gambhir at the Lucknow Super Giants during Gambhir’s two seasons as a mentor with the franchise.
Morkel, with 544 international wickets across 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is, will report to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru next month and is expected to observe the Duleep Trophy matches. He will also coordinate with VVS Laxman and NCA’s head of bowling, Troy Cooley.
Sources indicate that Morkel’s appointment was a direct result of Gambhir’s recommendation, surpassing other candidates such as Lakshmipathy Balaji and R Vinay Kumar. The BCCI emphasized that Gambhir’s preference for Morkel was crucial, given their successful past collaboration and the upcoming significant series against Australia and a potential Test tour to England.
Morkel, renowned for his partnership with Dale Steyn, has substantial experience in Indian conditions from his IPL tenure, where he closely observed emerging fast bowlers like Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Yash Thakur.
His key challenge will be managing the transition as veteran Mohammed Shami approaches the end of his career and ensuring adequate support for Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, particularly in Test matches.
Previously, Morkel worked with the Pakistan team until the end of the ODI World Cup last year before leaving his role early. Although India has not had a dedicated spin bowling coach, former director Ravi Shastri, a distinguished left-arm spinner, and Sairaj Bahutule, a member of Laxman’s team at the NCA, have occasionally supported the senior team.
