Morne Morkel to not travel with Team India to Sri Lanka due to personal reasons; Sairaj Bahutule to serve on an interim basis - Reports
Newly appointed Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir will have to wait for his entire coaching team to get together, as Morne Morkel is likely to be unavailable for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is close to finalizing a deal with the former South Africa bowler, who was recommended by Gambhir himself.
The pair worked together in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2022 and 2023. Gambhir asserted to having a coaching unit of his choice, leading to the likes of Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate on the verge of joining.
They will be present with the team in Sri Lanka as assistant coaches, and T Dilip is also expected to remain as fielding coach after being retained. However, Morkel's absence leaves India without a bowling coach for the tour as former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey's contract came to an end following Team India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the travelling contingent includes Sairaj Bahutule as an interim bowling coach. The former leg-spinner has been part of the coaching side of the second-string side under VVS Laxman on numerous occasions. He has also served as coach for the Kerala and Bengal team in the domestic circuit, and also as the bowling coach of the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
The former player, who has played 188 first-class matches along with a handful of international appearances, will play a huge role behind the scenes to help the spinners in the subcontinent pitches. Both white-ball teams have a plethora of tweakers like Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav.
The report also mentions that Morkel has travelled to Pretoria from Sydney, where he is currently settled, to visit his unwell father. He is expected to officially join in time for Team India's next international assignment, which comes in the form of a home series against Bangladesh.
Team India to travel to Sri Lanka on July 22 after Gautam Gambhir's official unveiling
Gautam Gambhir will be officially unveiled as the new head coach on Monday, July 22 in Mumbai. He is scheduled to attend a press conference before he leaves with the team and support staff for his maiden assignment.
The Men in Blue are scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Sri Lanka. The tour is slated to begin from July 27 onwards.