Morne Morkel reveals Gautam Gambhir's words fueled Rohit Sharma & India's explosive attack on Bangladesh

In a thrilling display of aggressive cricket, the Indian cricket team took the second and final Test against Bangladesh by storm on Day 4 at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Monday, September 30.

With rain eating more than half the match, Rohit Sharma and his brigade turned the contest on its head by unleashing a fierce batting attack. India racked up 285 runs in just 34.4 overs at an astounding run rate of 8.22, something rarely seen in the longest format of the game.

This ultra-attacking approach left Bangladesh reeling, and by the close of play, the hosts had declared their innings at 285/9, also claiming two crucial wickets on Day 4, giving themselves a strong chance of forcing a result despite the weather setbacks in Kanpur.

Gautam Gambhir’s vision drives India’s fierce comeback in the rain-hit Kanpur Test

The Indian cricket team’s strategy drew widespread praise for its sheer audacity and effectiveness. The fearless batting saw India transform a rain-marred Test into a potential win, but the credit wasn’t solely on the captain, Rohit.

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel revealed that this aggressive approach was a vision from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who also wanted to accelerate the game to make up for lost time, suggesting adopting this unrelenting pace.

Morne Morkel said that the team executed the plan to perfection, with Rohit setting the tone from the first ball. His leadership was instrumental in turning a difficult situation into a possible victory, as India took full advantage of every over available to them against Bangladesh.

Morne Morkel said at the press conference: “Even from GG's (Gautam Gambhir) point of view, we decided to take the game forward as fast as possible, and you need a leader from the front to do that. And Rohit has done it so many times, and again today. To go to the first ball, bang six on a surface where the bounce might be up and down, or you may not be sure how the new ball is going to play. You can also slightly go on the back foot as a bowling unit. So, it was great to see the captain, leading from the front, putting in the charge.”

Morne Morkel hails Indian cricket team’s unmatched professionalism and dedication to fitness

Meanwhile, the former South African pacer Morne Morkel has been really impressed by the high level of professionalism displayed by the Indian team, particularly in their dedication to training and fitness.

Morne Morkel noted how committed the players are, not just during net sessions but also in their approach to recovery and overall fitness. He also noted that the team consistently puts in the hard work required to deliver strong performances on the field.

The Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel further said that their attention to every detail, from gym routines to fitness drills, highlights the relentless effort they invest in being at their best.

Morne Morkel signed off by saying, “For me, it's so far, so enjoyable to see how professional they are and how they go about their daily lives to put on a performance. When it comes to recovery, you know, it's right up there. When it comes to gym work and fitness work, they honestly leave no stone unturned. I'm not surprised.”