Cricket

Team India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has provided an encouraging update on the fitness of Shubman Gill ahead of the highly anticipated first Test against Australia in Perth, commencing on November 22. Gill sustained a left-hand injury while fielding in the slips during the intra-squad match and was unable to return to the field on the second day.Morkel expressed optimism about Gill's recovery, stating, "Shubman is improving on a day-by-day basis. We will make a decision on the morning of the Test. He played well in the match simulation during the build-up, so fingers crossed."In the simulation match, Gill scored 28 in the first innings before being caught at gully off Navdeep Saini's delivery. He later returned to bat, remaining unbeaten on 42*. The young batter is expected to play a crucial role in the Test series, emulating Cheteshwar Pujara's ability to tire Australian bowlers with a solid defensive approach.In 14 matches batting at number three, Gill has amassed 926 runs at an average of 42.09, with three centuries and three fifties, including a top score of 119*. This year, he has been in excellent form, scoring 806 runs in 19 innings at an average of 47.41, with three centuries and three fifties, his highest score also being 119*.The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia begins on November 22 with the first Test in Perth. The second Test, a day-night match at the Adelaide Oval, is scheduled from December 6 to 10. The third Test will follow at The Gabba in Brisbane, from December 14 to 18.The Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground, running from December 26 to 30, will serve as the penultimate game, with the series concluding at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7. This thrilling finale promises a fitting end to the high-stakes series.

India Intensifies Preparations for Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Morkel Praises SirajWith the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy just around the corner, the Indian cricket team has been engaged in rigorous training sessions to fine-tune their skills. Last week, the team underwent an intense training regimen at the WACA in Perth, Australia.In addition to net practice and drills, the players participated in simulation matches to simulate the challenges they will face in the upcoming series. The training sessions were not without their lighter moments, as bowling coach Morne Morkel was captured on camera showering praise and affection on premier pacer Mohammed Siraj.During a training session, Siraj playfully interrupted a conversation between Morkel and another player. Morkel, recognizing Siraj's presence, immediately engaged him in the discussion. He heaped praise on Siraj's bowling abilities, highlighting his aggressive mindset and leadership qualities."This man (Siraj) is a legend," Morkel exclaimed. "He's got a big heart, aggressive mindset, one of the leaders of the attack, and I am very excited to see how he goes in this tour. Last tour, he was the go-to man in tough situations, and we're excited to see more of that senior role coming out in him on a very important tour."However, the Indian team suffered a setback during practice when top-order batter Shubman Gill sustained a fracture while fielding. Gill has been ruled out of the first Test in Perth. The team received some positive news when injured opener KL Rahul, who had been sidelined with an elbow injury, returned to the nets on Sunday and is expected to play in the first Test.Regular skipper Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test due to a thumb injury but is expected to join the team ahead of the second game in Adelaide.

Morne Morkel, the former South African pacer, has taken over as the bowling coach of the Indian Test team. His primary objective is to maintain the stability of the team's bowling unit, which has been a key factor in India's recent success in Test cricket.Morkel's appointment comes at a crucial time for India, as they prepare for a challenging five-Test series against Australia. The Indian pace attack has been severely handicapped by the absence of Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from heel surgery. Without Shami's experience and skill, India will need to rely heavily on the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and the uncapped quartet of Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.Morkel's task is to ensure that these young bowlers are ready for the rigors of Test cricket in Australia. He will need to help them adjust to the different conditions, particularly the extra bounce and pace of Australian pitches. Morkel's own experience of bowling in Australia will be invaluable in this regard.In addition to technical guidance, Morkel will also need to provide mental support to his bowlers. The pressure of playing in Australia can be immense, and Morkel will need to help his charges stay focused and confident.Morkel's appointment has been met with optimism by the Indian cricket fraternity. He is widely respected as a bowling coach, and his experience and knowledge will be a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Suryakumar Yadav's Hilarious Hindi Interrogation of Bowling Coach Morne MorkelAhead of the second ODI between India and Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a lighthearted video on Twitter featuring a comical exchange between captain Suryakumar Yadav and bowling coach Morne Morkel.In the video, Yadav playfully teases Morkel by peppering him with questions in Hindi, much to the amusement of the team. Yadav's persistent inquiries leave Morkel struggling to form coherent responses, resulting in a burst of laughter from both men."Kya hua? Bolo. (What happened? Tell me,)" Yadav asks repeatedly, while Morkel attempts to compose a suitable reply. The moment culminates in Morkel turning to the camera with a grin and jokingly saying, "You cut that out," as Yadav continues to chuckle in the background.Morkel's appointment as India's bowling coach marks a significant milestone in his coaching career. After a successful stint as a player for South Africa, he has now transitioned into a coaching role, guiding the Indian team's bowling attack.Morkel's expertise and experience have been instrumental in India's recent success in the shortest format of the game. He has played a pivotal role in developing the team's bowling strategies and nurturing the skills of young bowlers.The video shared by the BCCI provides a glimpse into the camaraderie and lighthearted atmosphere within the Indian team. It highlights the bond between Yadav and Morkel, who have quickly established a strong working relationship.As India prepares for the second ODI against Bangladesh, the team will undoubtedly draw inspiration from the positive and supportive environment that has been fostered within the squad. The video serves as a reminder that even in the midst of intense competition, there is always room for laughter and camaraderie.

India's newly appointed bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has been actively involved in guiding the team's bowlers ahead of the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. During a recent nets session, Morkel was observed closely monitoring the bowling technique of all-rounder Hardik Pandya.Morkel reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Pandya's approach, particularly his tendency to bowl too close to the stumps. The two engaged in a lengthy discussion, with Morkel providing detailed instructions on the necessary corrections. Morkel's focus extended beyond Pandya, as he also worked on the run-up and release point of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and rookies Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav.The T20I series against Bangladesh marks the beginning of a new era for India's bowling unit under Morkel's guidance. The team will be eager to implement the lessons learned during the nets session and translate them into success on the field.India's T20 squad for the series includes a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team, while Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma will provide wicketkeeping options. Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi bring experience and versatility to the bowling attack.Youngsters like Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav will be keen to make their mark after impressive performances in the Indian Premier League. Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, and Nitish Kumar Reddy will also look to seize the opportunity to showcase their skills.The series against Bangladesh will also provide a second chance for mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has been absent from India's T20I setup for an extended period.

India's Test resurgence begins against Bangladesh, with Morne Morkel at the helmIndia's Test team returns to action after a six-month hiatus, facing Bangladesh in a two-match series starting September 19. The series marks the debut of former South African pacer Morne Morkel as India's new bowling coach.Under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and Morkel, India's batters, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, experimented with different nets during their first practice session. The black soil pitch was allocated to spinners, while the pacers took the red soil pitch.The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is known for its spin-friendly conditions, prompting India to explore their options. The bowling lineup includes Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel as spin options, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Yash Dayal provide pace.India has also enlisted a group of promising net bowlers, including spinners S Ajith Ram, M Siddharth, and P Vignesh, and pacers Arpit Guleria, Gurnoon Brar, Yudhvir Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Simarjeet Singh, and Gurjapneet Singh.Bangladesh enters the series on a high after their 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan. The series carries significant importance in the World Test Championship (WTC), with India currently leading the table and Bangladesh rising to fourth spot.India faces a grueling 10-match Test season, including a three-Test series against New Zealand and the five-match Border-Gavaskar series in Australia later this year. The Bangladesh series will provide a crucial test for Rohit Sharma's side as they prepare for these challenges.

Morne Morkel, the newly appointed bowling coach for the Indian cricket team, has expressed his intention to enhance the existing system rather than implementing drastic changes. With an impressive record of 544 international wickets, Morkel brings a wealth of experience to the Indian team ahead of their upcoming series against Bangladesh.Morkel has lauded the efficiency and professionalism of India's cricket structure, stating that his primary goal is to "protect and improve" the current setup with subtle modifications. He acknowledges the leadership qualities of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah, emphasizing their role in guiding the team.Morkel's approach focuses on building trust and fostering relationships within the team. He aims to create a welcoming environment where players feel comfortable sharing their concerns and seeking guidance. By sharing his knowledge and experience, he hopes to help players manage the pressures associated with representing India."The blue shirt carries a lot of expectations," Morkel said. "My role is to make players feel welcome in this environment, help them settle in, and pass on my knowledge."Morkel's appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster India's bowling strength. His experience and expertise will complement the team's established framework, providing additional support and guidance to the players.

Morne Morkel, the former South African fast bowler, has taken on the significant role of India's bowling coach, succeeding renowned predecessors Bharat Arun and Paras Mhambrey. At 39, Morkel brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as Pakistan's bowling coach and worked with New Zealand and Namibia in the T20 World Cups.One of the key challenges Morkel faces is gaining the trust of the Indian bowlers, which is essential for effective communication and success in his new position. Ex-South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel, Morne's brother, emphasizes that earning the trust of established team members will be his main task."It goes without saying that being on the Indian team's coaching staff is probably the biggest responsibility or coaching job out there," Albie Morkel told Mid-day. "The passion for the sport and the success that the team had in the past makes it a job with no room for error."Morkel will collaborate with some of the world's best bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, widely considered the best fast bowler across all formats. Albie Morkel believes that Morne admires Bumrah's versatility and ability to perform in various conditions."Not sure but Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah," Albie said when asked about the Indian bowlers Morne admires. "Once again, I don't know what his exact thoughts would be, but Jasprit is the best all-format bowler in the world. He is very special, and I'm sure Morne would love to work with him."Despite not having an extensive coaching resume like some of his predecessors, Morkel's experience is noteworthy. He has worked with bowlers from different countries and cultures, which will be valuable in his new role. Albie Morkel highlights the importance of his brother's experience, particularly in addressing the mental aspects of the game, which can be crucial for bowlers dealing with challenges such as injuries."It's a fine line between being too technical and what's right," Albie said. "I think the game has changed so much over the last decade. Younger bowlers or bowlers who struggle with injuries probably need more technical work, and after that, it's about fine-tuning what you have. The mental aspect becomes very important then to sustain longevity."Morkel's appointment has the potential to bring a fresh perspective to India's bowling attack, possibly unlocking new achievements for the team. His combination of experience, technical expertise, and understanding of the game's mental demands sets the stage for an intriguing chapter in Indian cricket.

Former South African pace legend Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach of the Indian cricket team, completing the support staff for newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir. Morkel, 39, replaces Paras Mhambrey and will take over from the Bangladesh series starting on September 19. He has been appointed until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.Morkel was Gambhir's preferred choice, having worked with him at Lucknow Super Giants during the Indian's two IPL seasons as mentor of the franchise. The South African has played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for his country, taking a total of 544 international wickets.Morkel's appointment is seen as a significant move, given his experience and success as a fast bowler. He will be tasked with handling the transition phase as Mohammed Shami enters the latter stages of his career and Jasprit Bumrah needs more potent support, especially in red-ball cricket.Morkel's biggest challenge will be to nurture the next generation of Indian fast bowlers, including Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Yash Thakur. He is expected to work closely with VVS Laxman and Troy Cooley at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.The other members of Gambhir's support staff include assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach Ryan Ten Doeschate. India has never had a dedicated spin bowling coach, but Sairaj Bahutule, who is part of Laxman's team at the NCA, has traveled with the senior team on occasion.