Morne Morkel to join Team India's coaching staff for Test series against Bangladesh: Reports
Retired South African speedster Morne Morkel is likely to join the Indian team as their bowling coach for the Test series against Bangladesh, as reported by Cricbuzz. With the newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir having worked with Morkel in the IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), he is keen to have the 39-year-old on board.
Morkel, part of one of South Africa's most fearsome bowling attacks and known to have formed a formidable new-ball partnership with Dale Steyn, retired with 544 international wickets. The Transvaal-born former cricketer was also Pakistan's men's team's bowling coach.
The former right-arm speedster should be a handful for the Indian pace-bowling stocks, especially ahead of the five-Test tour of Australia from November 2024 to January 2025. With the sub-continent nation yet to win a Test series in South Africa, the 39-year-old could be a handful and make the mission successful in the near future.
India currently playing limited-overs series against Sri Lanka
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue are currently in Sri Lanka for three T20Is and as many ODIs. The newly-crowned world champions have already claimed the T20I series 2-0 after winning the 1st T20I on July 27 (Saturday) and 2nd on July 28 (Sunday) in Pallekele. The three-game ODI series commences on August 2 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Their home season kickstarts with the two-Test series against Bangladesh on September 19, followed by a further three red-ball matches against New Zealand in October. However, the world awaits the most for the marquee five-Test rubber in Australia, commencing in Perth on November 22.
The Men in Blue have won the last two Test series Down Under and will be optimistic of completing a hat-trick this time around under the new coaching staff. The BCCI will also welcome England for a short white-ball visit in January before the Champions Trophy 2025.