Cricket

Morne Morkel Appointed Bowling Coach of Indian Men's Cricket TeamFormer South African fast bowler Morne Morkel has been appointed as the bowling coach of the Indian men's cricket team, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Wednesday. Morkel's tenure will commence from September 1, 2023.Morkel, 39, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for South Africa. During his illustrious career, he claimed a total of 544 international wickets, establishing himself as one of the most formidable bowlers of his generation.Morkel's appointment reunites him with chief coach Gautam Gambhir, with whom he worked at the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The duo will be tasked with guiding the Indian team to success in upcoming tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.Morkel's appointment has been met with praise from the Indian cricket fraternity. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar hailed Morkel as "a great choice" for the role, citing his experience and knowledge of the game."Morne Morkel is a great choice for the bowling coach of the Indian team," Gavaskar said. "He has a lot of experience and knowledge of the game. He will be a great asset to the team."Morkel's appointment is expected to bolster the Indian team's bowling attack, which has been a concern in recent times. The team has struggled to find consistency in their bowling, particularly in the death overs. Morkel's expertise and experience will be invaluable in addressing these issues.The Indian team is currently preparing for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates from August 27 to September 11. Morkel's appointment is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the team's preparations for the tournament.

Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel is set to join the Indian cricket team's coaching staff as their new bowling coach. The appointment, made under head coach Gautam Gambhir, comes at a crucial juncture as the team prepares for a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and the upcoming home series against Bangladesh in September.Morkel's addition to the coaching staff is part of an ongoing assessment by Gambhir and the management to refine the team's coaching framework ahead of future competitions. The strategic move casts uncertainty on the position of the interim bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, given Morkel's specialization in fast bowling.The decision on whether to maintain a dedicated spin bowling coach to work alongside Morkel remains pending. Should Bahutule continue in his role, the coaching staff would include two assistant coaches, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, a bowling coach (Morkel), a fielding coach (T Dilip), and potentially a spin bowling coach, under the direction of head coach Gambhir.Morkel's appointment is expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Indian team. The former Proteas pacer played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for South Africa, taking a total of 544 international wickets. He was known for his accuracy, pace, and ability to swing the ball both ways.The Indian team is currently in Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs. The T20I series has already been won by India, with the ODIs set to commence on August 2.

Former Indian leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as Team India's bowling coach for the upcoming six-match white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Bahutule, who has served as a bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for the past three years, will join the Indian team in Colombo on Monday.Bahutule, who played two Tests and eight ODIs for India between 1997 and 2003, has a wealth of experience in domestic cricket. He has played 188 first-class matches, taking 630 wickets at an average of 26.00 and scoring 6176 runs at an average of 31.83.Bahutule's appointment is seen as a positive move for India's young spinners. He has a proven track record of working with young players and has been credited with helping to develop some of India's most promising spinners, including Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar.Bahutule's presence in the Indian team is expected to be particularly beneficial for the team's spinners in the T20I series. India's spin attack in the T20Is will be led by Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar, all of whom have worked with Bahutule in the past.Bahutule's appointment is also seen as a sign of the BCCI's commitment to developing young players. The BCCI has been criticized in the past for not giving enough opportunities to young players, but the appointment of Bahutule suggests that the board is now taking a more proactive approach to player development.Bahutule's appointment is a temporary one, as the BCCI is still in the process of finalizing a permanent bowling coach for the Indian team. However, Bahutule's experience and expertise make him a valuable addition to the Indian team for the Sri Lanka series.

Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel is reportedly set to become the next bowling coach of the Indian cricket team. The news comes after discussions between Morkel and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following a recommendation from new head coach Gautam Gambhir.Morkel, who played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and was part of the title-winning team under Gambhir's captaincy in 2014, is expected to join the Indian team after the upcoming Sri Lanka series.However, Cricbuzz reports that Morkel will not travel to Sri Lanka for the T20I and ODI series, with former India spinner Sairaj Bahutule serving as the interim bowling coach.Morkel's appointment as bowling coach is seen as a significant move, given his experience as a player and coach. He has previously served as the bowling coach of the Pakistan cricket team and has worked alongside Gambhir as the bowling coach of the Lucknow Super Giants.In addition to Morkel, Gautam Gambhir has also appointed Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Nayar, who played three ODIs for India, and Ten Doeschate were part of Gambhir's coaching staff at the Kolkata Knight Riders when they won the IPL in 2024.T Dilip will continue as the fielding coach for the Indian team.

Paras Mhambrey, a former Indian cricketer and bowling coach, recently concluded his 31-month stint with the Indian cricket team. In an exclusive interview, he shared his insights on his tenure, the team's strengths and weaknesses, and the challenges they faced.Mhambrey's association with the team began in 2021, when he was appointed as the bowling coach under head coach Rahul Dravid. He described his experience as "rewarding" and "satisfying," crediting Dravid for creating a positive and supportive environment.Reflecting on the team's performance, Mhambrey highlighted the importance of the 2023 World Cup, which India hosted. He acknowledged the pressure and expectations surrounding the tournament but emphasized the team's determination to overcome them."We knew what the pressures were," Mhambrey said. "We knew what we were about to encounter because when you interact with people, everyone wants to win the World Cup, right? You can't run away from it."To prepare for the World Cup, Mhambrey and the coaching staff analyzed the team's performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where they lost in the semifinals. They identified areas for improvement and worked on developing specific strategies for different venues."We learned our lessons from 2022, which culminated with the T20 World Cup," Mhambrey explained. "We sat down and said what do we need to do differently."Mhambrey also praised the individual contributions of several players, including R. Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh. He highlighted Ashwin's exceptional skills and his ability to reinvent himself as a white-ball bowler."I find Ash very unique," Mhambrey said. "Very few people who are at that stage of their career — someone with more than 500 Test wickets — who still come with the intensity of a rookie."Mhambrey also acknowledged the challenges faced by some bowlers, such as Umran Malik, who he believes needs more guidance and a structured state team environment.Overall, Mhambrey's tenure as bowling coach was marked by a focus on improvement, adaptability, and a strong team spirit. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with the Indian cricket team and wished them continued success in the future.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively considering former South African pacer Morne Morkel as a potential bowling coach for the Indian cricket team. This development comes after Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach, expressed his desire to include Morkel in the support staff.Morkel, who played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for the Proteas, has a wealth of experience and a proven track record as a successful bowler. He was Pakistan's bowling coach during the ODI World Cup in India last year but resigned before his contract expired.Gambhir and Morkel have a history of working together, having been part of Andy Flower's support staff at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for two seasons. Gambhir has always been a vocal admirer of Morkel's bowling abilities, describing him as the "fiercest bowler he had ever faced."The BCCI has reportedly held talks with Morkel, who is currently living in Sydney with his family. One of the considerations for Morkel is the extensive travel required for the India job, given his young family.If Morkel accepts the role, he will replace Paras Mhambrey, who was part of Rahul Dravid's support staff for the past three years. Morkel could potentially join former KKR teammate Ryan ten Doeschate and Nayar in Gambhir's support staff.The BCCI is also keen on retaining fielding coach T Dilip from the outgoing Dravid regime. The final decision on the support staff is expected to be made soon.

Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji Emerge as Contenders for Team India Bowling Coach RoleFormer Indian fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji have emerged as potential candidates for the bowling coach position in Team India's coaching staff under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering their names to replace Paras Mhambrey, whose tenure has reportedly ended.Zaheer Khan, widely regarded as one of India's greatest left-arm pacers, boasts an impressive record of 311 Test wickets in 92 matches and a total of 610 scalps in 309 international matches across all formats. His experience and expertise would be invaluable to the Indian bowling unit.Lakshmipathy Balaji, on the other hand, has represented India in eight Test matches, claiming 27 wickets at an average of 37.18. He has also taken 34 wickets in 30 ODIs. While his international experience is limited compared to Zaheer, Balaji's knowledge of Indian conditions and his ability to mentor young bowlers could make him a suitable candidate.The appointment of a new bowling coach is part of a broader overhaul of the Indian team's support staff following the departure of Rahul Dravid as head coach. Gambhir, a former India opener and winner of both T20 and ODI World Cups, was named as Dravid's successor on Tuesday.Gambhir, who also served as the team mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 2024, has a proven track record of success in coaching. Under his guidance, KKR secured their third IPL trophy this season. He was also captain of the KKR team that won the IPL in 2012 and 2014.The BCCI is expected to make a decision on the bowling coach position soon. The appointment of Zaheer Khan or Lakshmipathy Balaji would be a significant step in shaping the future of Indian cricket.

Afghanistan's head coach Jonathan Trott has hailed the appointment of Dwayne Bravo as the team's bowling coach for the ongoing T20 World Cup. Trott believes that Bravo's extensive experience in franchise cricket has significantly impacted the approach of Afghanistan's bowlers, making his job easier and enhancing the overall coaching experience.In their opening match, Afghanistan showcased their bowling prowess as left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed an impressive 5/9, while openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (76) and Ibrahim Zadran (70) laid a solid foundation with the bat. The Afghans ultimately defeated tournament debutants Uganda by a commanding margin of 125 runs."DJ (Dwayne Bravo) coming into the side, fantastic. Having quality coaches also with huge experience as players (is great), but also vast franchise experience in this format of the game," Trott said in the post-match press conference."(It's) only a brilliant thing to have a player like him coming to the side as coach and it makes your job a lot easier but it also makes the coaching more enhanced, especially with the bowlers.""We've seen the start of his first game with us and we saw the bowlers bowl really well, so credit to Dwayne. So (a) nice start for the boys," he added.Despite the heavy defeat, Uganda captain Brian Masaba chose to focus on the positives, describing the experience of hearing their national anthem and seeing their flag at the World Cup as a "pretty special moment." Masaba acknowledged the nerves that came with playing their first-ever T20 World Cup match and commended his team's fighting spirit in the face of a strong Afghan side."Pretty special moment for us, hearing our national anthem and seeing our flag at the World Cup," Masaba said after the match."First game at the World Cup, (a) lot of nerves, so good to get that out of the way.""Something I will cherish for the rest of my life. We will look to come out and play better next game. They got off to a pretty good start and then it was about fighting back. It was very important how we fought back and full credit to the boys for that," he added.Uganda will next face Papua New Guinea in their second Group C match on Thursday. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will take on New Zealand at the same venue on Saturday.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, renowned for his exceptional bowling prowess, recently reminisced about his time as the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2010 to 2016. During a recent interaction, Akram shared a memorable anecdote involving a young Sanju Samson, who was then a shy 16-year-old.Akram recalled that due to a shortage of bowlers in the camp, he had the opportunity to bowl in the nets. As Samson came to bat, Akram noticed his quiet demeanor and impressive wicketkeeping skills. However, it was Samson's batting that caught Akram's attention.Akram began by testing Samson with a couple of outswingers, but the youngster remained unfazed. Determined to make an impact, Akram unleashed an inswinging delivery that rattled Samson's stumps. Akram couldn't resist giving Samson a playful send-off, recognizing his potential as a future star."At that time, he did not get a chance, but I felt that he had the potential to become a good player in the future," Akram said. "He was silent. He was a young kid. When big names are around you, you tend to come under pressure. I was with him for a short time only, but I got that feeling that he can become a good player."Samson's journey since then has been remarkable. He has emerged as a key player for Rajasthan Royals, leading the franchise to the top of the table in the ongoing IPL season. Akram's early assessment of Samson's talent has proven to be accurate, as the youngster has blossomed into a formidable batsman.