‘Lucky to have quality senior players, the set-up operates by itself’ –  Morne Morkel after his first day  bowling coach for India

After his appointment as the new bowling coach by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), former bowler Morne Morkel arrived at the India camp in Chennai ahead of the two-match Test series. As the team captained by Rohit Sharma gets ready for a 10-Test marathon—two matches against Bangladesh, three against New Zealand, and then a five-match trip of Australia—he was spotted hanging out with young pacers like Akash Deep.

After the first practice, Morkel said that the Indian squad is fortunate to have several top-tier senior players in the ranks and added that the setup very well works on its own. Though the former South Africa international is keen to impart information and safeguard the already established setup, he is aware that the expectations inside the Indian team are very high.

“I am aware that expectations of victory will exist, and fortunately, I have encountered such expectations during my playing career. I’m able to impart that expertise. I thought about how fortunate we are to have such great senior players as I was making the plan. It is led by the more experienced players. Our duty is to provide for them. Simply provide them with the best guidance we are able to provide. The configuration functions somewhat independently. That’s why the objective is to better and preserve it, Morkel stated in a BCCI video.

On being named the coach of India, Morne Morkel speaks candidly

After receiving a call from BCCI offering him the position of head coach, the 39-year-old said he sat in his room for five minutes. He then spoke with his dad, who seemed happy. Regarding it as exceptional, he expressed excitement about the part.

“I thought about it for five minutes while I sat there. Instead of speaking with my wife initially, I talked to my dad. I went to talk to my dad, even though they usually tell you to go see your wife.

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Knowing what’s next is a truly unique experience for someone who has followed cricket for years. I took advantage of the occasion and savoured it by myself for five to seven minutes before telling my family about it,” stated Morkel.