Morne Morkel is a contender for the position of India’s bowling coach.
The former South African pacer, who has extensive coaching experience, is on the shortlist of Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian team.
Morkel previously coached the Pakistan team during the last ODI World Cup in India but resigned months before his contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was set to expire.
Gambhir has reportedly requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider Morkel, who played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is between 2006 and 2018, for the bowling coach role.
Cricpulse can confirm that some discussions have taken place with the South African, who is now settled in Australia.
Gambhir and Morkel are known to have had a good working relationship at the Lucknow Super Giants IPL team, where Gambhir served as a mentor for two years.
Morkel continued as the franchise’s bowling coach under new head coach Justin Langer after Gambhir left to join the Kolkata Knight Riders, and head coach Andy Flower moved to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Morkel has established a strong reputation as an effective coach in both international and IPL circles.
At 39 and having retired only in 2018, Morkel remains well-versed and up-to-date with the latest techniques of the game.
Gambhir, known for working with people he is comfortable with, is keen on having Morkel in his coaching team.
Several names have been linked to the bowling coach position, including Lakshmipathy Balaji and Vinay Kumar.
Reports also suggest that the BCCI is considering Zaheer Khan for the role.
While a final decision has yet to be made, it appears the BCCI may reach a conclusion soon.
One of the considerations is Morkel’s young family and the extensive travel required for the India job.
He lives in the plush Seaforth suburb in northern Sydney with his wife Roz Kelly, a sports presenter on Channel 9, and their two children.
If appointed, Morkel would replace Paras Mhambrey, who has excelled in the role for the past three years under head coach Rahul Dravid.
As previously reported by Cricpulse, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate are a couple of other recommendations from Gambhir, and the BCCI is believed to be keen on retaining fielding coach T Dilip from the outgoing Dravid regime.
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