[Watch] When Gautam Gambhir described Morne Morkel as the toughest bowler he has ever faced
Former South African pacer Morne Morkel was recently confirmed as Team India's new bowling coach, replacing Paras Mhambrey. In India's new coaching setup, he will reunite with former India opener Gautam Gambhir, who has already taken charge as head coach. Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate (assistant coaches) and T Dilip (fielding coach) are the other members of the support staff.
Morkel and Gambhir had previously worked together in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), where the latter was a mentor for a couple of seasons. The duo were also teammates in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Meanwhile, an old video of Gambhir praising the new Team India bowling coach is going viral on social media platforms. In the clip, which is from Gambhir's appearance on the 'Breakfast with Champions' show, host Gaurav Kapur asks the former India opener:
"[Who is] the fiercest bowler you ever faced?"
"Morne Morkel in South Africa," Gambhir replies.
"Yeah. Awkward Bounce?" Gaurav asks.
"Yeah, that's why we got him in the KKR as well. He was the toughest bowler I faced. 100 per cent. When he played for Delhi (Daredevils), I would come back and say I wish we had Morne Morkel," Gambhir explains.
Watch video below
Morkel was bowling coach of the Pakistan team during the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India.
Morne Morkel is among South Africa's most successful fast bowlers
Morkel (39) ranks sixth on the list of bowlers who have claimed most wickets for South Africa in international cricket. The right-arm pacer played 241 matches for the Proteas across formats between 2006 and 2018, claiming 535 wickets at an average of 26.62, with 10 five-fers.
The lanky former pacer featured in 86 Test matches and claimed 309 wickets at an average of 27.66, with eight five-fers. In the one-day format, he featured in 114 matches for South Africa, claiming 180 wickets at an average of 25.52, with two five-fers, which includes a best of 5-21. Morkel also featured in 41 T20Is for South Africa and picked up 46 wickets, averaging 23.84, with a best of 4/17.
During his stint as bowling coach with the Indian team, he will be expected to guide the likes of Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik and Yash Thakur, among others. Further, there are also reports that the BCCI is pondering on hiring the services of Sairaj Bahutule as a spin consultant.