India batter Shubman Gill spoke about facing the team’s bowling coach Morne Morkel in the nets in his recent press conference on the eve of the third Test in Brisbane. Gill claimed that Morkel challenges the Indian team during training sessions with his methods.
Currently, Morne Morkel is in Australia where India is facing the home team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Morkel has been tasked to prepare an inexperienced Indian bowling attack to face a tough Australian side.
Shubman Gill opens up on facing Morne Morkel in the nets
During the press conference, Shubman Gill was asked various questions from the reporters. He was also asked how does it feel to work with Morne Morkel in the training session. Shubman Gill looked pleased with India’s bowling coach and claimed that Morkel challenges the team with various methods.
The Indian star didn’t stop and even claimed that the team have fun with the former South African fast bowler and do not stop themselves from pulling his leg. He was happy with the relationship between Morkel and the players.
“He likes to challenge us. How he used to bowl back in his day. We also like to pull his leg to make him bowl,” Shubman Gill told the reporters.
More Morkel was appointed India’s bowling coach in September 2024. His first assignment was India’s home Test series against Bangladesh. His name was recommended by the team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has previously worked with Morkel during the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Gambhir was the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022 and 2023 while Morkel was the team’s bowling coach. Being a trusted member of his coaching staff, Gambhir decided to push Morkel’s name forward for this big role.
Morne Morkel’s international record
Morne Morkel is undoubtedly one of the greatest fast bowlers to represent South Africa. The tall and lanky quick played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is in his career. Morkel picked up 309 wickets at an average of 27.66 in Tests and 188 wickets at an average of 25.32 in ODIs.
Morkel has loads of experience of bowling on bouncy pitches which made him a lethal weapon on Australian and South African pitches. He played 6 Tests in Australia and picked up 23 wickets at an average of 34.04.
India looking to use Morne Morkel’s vast experience
During the ongoing Australian tour, India will be looking to use his experience which can be handy for an inexperienced pace attack. In the absence of Mohammed Shami, India’s bowling attack looks weaker with Jasprit Bumrah the only bowler to make a significant impact.
Bumrah is the highest-wicket taker of the series so far with 12 wickets in two Tests at an average of 11.25. However, he has lacked support from the other end as bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana haven’t been as lethal.
Meanwhile, the series is currently level 1-1 after Australia staged a comeback in Adelaide. The Men in Blue won the first Test by 295 runs to take a 1-0 lead earlier. However, Australia bounced back to win the second Test in Adelaide.