Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel has been appointed as the Indian cricket team’s new bowling coach, according to news agency PTI, quoting BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Morkel’s contract is expected to start on September 1, therefore his first assignment with Team India will be the home Test series against Bangladesh, which begins September 19. He has been appointed until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. His big test, however, will be the Australia tour in December-January. Against all odds, India won the Test series in Australia during their last two tours.

Yes, Morne Morkel has been appointed bowling coach of the senior India men’s team, Shah told PTI. He will report to Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy at the beginning of next month and is anticipated to witness Duleep Trophy matches. Once there, he will meet with VVS Laxman and Troy Cooley, the NCA’s head of bowling.

Morkel has a wealth of experience. During his illustrious career, he represented South Africa in 86 Tests, 117 One-Day Internationals, and 44 Twenty20 Internationals, taking 309, 188, and 47 wickets, respectively. Morkel, along with Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, established one of the most dangerous attacks in international cricket, terrorizing batters throughout the world in all formats.

Morkel and head coach Gautam Gambhir have a lengthy history together. They have shared the Kolkata Knight Riders’ dressing room for three seasons. The two also collaborated with the Lucknow Super Giants, where Gambhir served as the team’s mentor and Morkel as bowling coach. He stayed as LSG’s bowling coach even after Gambhir joined KKR ahead of the season.