Morne Morkel set to take over as India’s bowling coach; Sairaj Bahutule’s future in doubt

Indian Cricket Team captain Rohit Sharma and his ODI squad have reportedly landed in Colombo ahead of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting on August 2. The Indian captain was joined by key players including Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana in Colombo’s ITC Ratnadipa hotel on July 28.

Excitement is building not only for the Sri Lanka versus India matches but also for the strategic changes in the coaching setup of the Indian cricket team. With Gautam Gambhir already taking over as India’s new head coach, other coaching staff is yet to be finalized, especially the bowling coach.

Morne Morkel to join Indian cricket team ahead of the Bangladesh series

It has already been said that Gambhir’s support staff will be finalized after the ongoing limited-overs series in Sri Lanka. Now, reports emerged that Morne Morkel, the former South African fast bowler, is all set to be named Team India’s bowling coach ahead of the home series against Bangladesh.

A Cricbuzz report claimed that Morkel will begin his term as bowling coach with the India cricket team with the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, with his official appointment expected ahead of the home series in September. Sairaj Bahutule is already in Sri Lanka, acting as interim bowling coach, and is uncertain to get the top job.

During the ongoing six-match white-ball series in Sri Lanka, the Indian team management and the selectors will evaluate the current coaching team, and then they will officially form a new setup for the future engagements. The uncertainty surrounding Bahutule’s role adds to the intrigue.

Bahutule, who is specializing in spin bowling, is currently serving as an interim bowling coach on the Sri Lanka tour. However, with Morkel’s appointment as a fast-bowling coach, Team India might need a dedicated spin coach to complement the new coaching structure.

Morne Morkel's imminent appointment adds twist to India's coaching staff shake-up

If Bahutule retains his position, the Gautam Gambhir-headed Indian coaching staff will consist of six members: Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches, Morkel as the bowling coach, T Dilip as the fielding coach, and Sairaj as the spin bowling coach.

This configuration raises questions about whether the Indian team might have an overly large coaching staff, potentially complicating the team’s dynamics. Given that the report suggested that Bahutule’s future with the Indian team looks uncertain after the Sri Lanka tour.

But still, India may require a dedicated spin bowling coach since the fast-bowling specialist Morkel is not known for his expertise in spin bowling. If the reports are to be believed, he is going to take over as the bowling coach in the coming weeks.

Earlier, during Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri’s tenure, there were only three specialist assistants: bowling coach, fielding coach, and batting coach. Now, with Gambhir at the help, things might get complicated if he wants to hire specialists in each and every department.

Notably, India already clinched the ongoing three-match T20I series by winning the first two matches against Sri Lanka. The third and final T20I is set to be played in Kandy on July 30 before the action shifts to the three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo.