Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has broken his silence on Morne Morkel’s potential appointment as India’s new bowling coach. Chopra claimed that Morkel has a lot of experience in coaching which could be handful for India abroad.
According to several reports, Morne Morkel is the frontrunner for the role of India’s bowling coach. As soon as his appointment gets finalized, he will join the Indian squad for their next assignment against Bangladesh.
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Aakash Chopra breaks silence on Morne Morkel’s potential appointment as India’s bowling coach
While speaking on a Q&A video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was asked about Morne Morkel’s effect on the Indian team if he becomes the bowling coach.
Chopra reckoned that Morkel knows the conditions in Australia and South Africa very well since he has now settled in Australia. This could help India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and the ODI World Cup 2027, which will be held in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
“Morne Morkel is a good guy. I know him well. He is very man of calm nature. Usually, fast bowlers are not so quiet, but he is. He is good and I like him. The reports from Lucknow (Super Giants) suggest that he does a good job as a coach. Actually, he has settled in Australia, so he understands Australian and South African conditions very well,” Chopra said.
Morne Morkel records in international cricket
Morne Morkel has vast experience of playing Test cricket, especially in South Africa. The South African quick was one of the premier bowlers for his team during his playing tenure.
Morkel picked up 309 wickets in 86 Tests at an average of 27.66. The lanky fast bowler has an excellent record in ODIs as well. He has picked up 288 wickets in just 117 ODIs at an average of 25.32.
After his retirement, he shifted permanently to Australia and has played in the Big Bash League as a local player. As a result, he has a good experience of playing in Australian conditions as well.
“I really hope that he (Morne Morkel) adds a little more to it” – Aakash Chopra
The former India opener added that Indian bowling has drastically improved over the past few years and hoped that it keeps improving in Morne Morkel’s tenure.
“I really hope that he adds a little more to it because there has been some good work done so far. The level of Indian bowling has gone quite high and I hope it continues forever. Morne Morkel, wish you all the very best,” Chopra added.
Mornel Morkel’s name was recommended by India’s current head coach Gautam Gambhir for the role of bowling coach. Both Morkel and Gambhir have previously worked together on numerous occasions. They were part of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL when Gambhir was the team’s captain.
Both Gambhir and Morkel have experience of working together in the coaching staff as well. When Gambhir served as Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor before coming to KKR this season, Morkel was the team’s bowling coach.
Morne Morkel has also held the role of Pakistan’s bowling coach previously. But he resigned following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, which was held in India.