Gautam Gambhir checkmates BCCI over bowling coach!! Rejects Zaheer Khan and demands this foreign legend

Gautam Gambhir, newly appointed as India’s head coach, has expressed interest in including former South Africa pacer Morne Morkel in his coaching staff. Morne Morkel, who has extensive coaching experience at the international level, is a top candidate on Gautam Gambhir's list for the bowling coaching role.

Morne Morkel served as the coach of the Pakistan team during the ODI World Cup 2023 in India but resigned before his contract with the PCB ended. Morkel has a positive working relationship with Gautam Gambhir. He worked for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL, where Gambhir was a mentor for two years.

Gautam Gambhir left for the Kolkata Knight Riders, and head coach Andy Flower moved to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Morkel remained the bowling coach for the LSG franchise under new head coach Justin Langer. The Lucknow-based team failed to advance to the playoffs in this year's tournament.

Gautam Gambhir Urges BCCI To Appoint Morne Morkel - Report

According to a report from Cricbuzz, Gautam Gambhir has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider Morne Morkel for the role of bowling coach. The report added that Morkel has had discussions regarding the position.

"Gambhir is believed to have requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider Morkel for the position of bowling coach. Cricbuzz can confirm that some discussions have taken place with the South African, who is now settled in Australia,” a report by Cricbuzz said.

"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. The couple have two children," the report added.

BCCI To Make Final Call On Coaching Staff Soon - Report

Morne Morkel retired from international cricket in 2018 after a career spanning over a decade. The former right-arm fast bowler played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20I matches for South Africa in his illustrious career. He took more than 500 wickets across three formats of the game in international cricket.

Morkel would replace Paras Mhambrey, who has performed well as the bowling coach for the past three years under head coach Rahul Dravid. Gambhir has also requested Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate for roles. The BCCI is reportedly interested in retaining fielding coach T Dilip from Dravid's regime.

Several candidates have been considered for the bowling coach position, including former Indian cricketers Lakshmipathy Balaji, Vinay Kumar, and Zaheer Khan. While no final decision has been made on the coaching staff, it seems that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is close to reaching a conclusion.

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