Morne Morkel, at age 39, has stepped into a pivotal role as the bowling coach for the Indian cricket team, following a line of successful predecessors like Bharat Arun and Paras Mhambrey. As the first overseas coach since Duncan Fletcher, Morne faces intense scrutiny from fans and experts alike, holding a position that carries high expectations.
Albie Morkel, Morne's older brother, expresses optimism about Morne’s ability to rise to this challenge. He recognises that the role requires precision, with little margin for error. Notably, India’s bowling attack has been a strong point in recent years, consistently taking 20 wickets per match. Morne’s challenge will not only be to uphold this standard, but also to nurture the next generation of fast bowlers, an area where reinforcement is crucial.
With established bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, the question arises: who will step up to fill gaps in the future? Albie emphasises that building trust and effective communication with the bowlers will be crucial for Morne, especially as he acclimatises to his new role in a foreign setup. While Morne has some familiarity with Indian players from his time with the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, establishing a strong rapport with key players like Bumrah will be essential.
“That’s a huge responsibility—probably the biggest coaching job out there. The passion for the sport and the past success of the team means there’s no room for error. He’ll be working with talented players who have achieved so much, so it’s important for him to earn their trust and show them he can help them realise their full potential,” Albie shared with *Mid-day*.
Jasprit Bumrah, often regarded as the premier all-format fast bowler globally, will play a crucial role in Morne’s coaching journey. Albie admits he isn’t fully aware of Morne's thoughts about Bumrah, but recognises him as an exceptional talent. "I'm not sure which Indian bowlers he admires the most, but it's clear that Jasprit is a very special player, and I’m sure Morne would love the opportunity to work with him," Albie noted.
Morne’s coaching journey is not as extensive as that of his predecessors; however, he has valuable experience from coaching stints with top teams. He recently was Pakistan's bowling coach before resigning after their disappointing 2023 World Cup outing, and has also worked with New Zealand at the 2023 T20 World Cup as well as Namibia during their T20 World Cup participation. Albie believes that Morne’s strength lies in enhancing bowlers' mental resilience, a crucial trait for coping with challenges such as injuries.
"It’s a delicate balance—being too technical versus knowing what’s right. The game has evolved significantly over the last decade. Younger bowlers or those dealing with injuries often need more technical guidance, followed by fine-tuning their skills. The mental side becomes pivotal for sustaining longevity in performance," Albie explained.
In conclusion, Albie is confident in Morne’s ability to bring value to India's bowling unit. He stresses that if Morne effectively leverages his experience and communicates well, he could become a critical asset to the team moving forward.