Sairaj Bahutule – Morne Morkel : In a significant yet unexpected turn of events, Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as India’s interim bowling coach for the upcoming white ball tour of Sri Lanka. This decision follows the delay in Morne Morkel‘s appointment due to personal reasons, leaving cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting his eventual debut with the team.
Let’s have a look into more details: Sairaj Bahutule – Morne Morkel
BCCI Names Sairaj Bahutule Interim Bowling Coach
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Sairaj Bahutule will step in as the bowling coach for the six match limited overs series in Sri Lanka. The announcement came after it was revealed that Morne Morkel, the legendary South African pacer, would be unable to join the team due to his father’s illness in Pretoria. Morkel, who currently resides in Australia, has flown to South Africa to be with his family.
Sairaj Bahutule brings a wealth of experience to the table, having held various coaching positions over the years. His coaching career spans domestic teams like Kerala and Bengal, as well as a stint with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). More recently, he has been working alongside VVS Laxman at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) as the spin bowling coach since 2021.
Bahutule has also been part of India’s support staff on multiple occasions, including tours to Ireland, New Zealand, and the Border Gavaskar series. His extensive experience and familiarity with the Indian team make him a reliable choice to fill the interim role.
Morne Morkel’s Anticipated Appointment
Morne Morkel, who is the sixth highest wicket taker for South Africa with 544 wickets across 247 international matches, was expected to join the Indian team as the bowling coach for the Sri Lanka tour. His association with the new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who advocated strongly for his appointment, had generated considerable excitement.
However, due to his father’s health, Morkel’s debut with the Indian team has been postponed. He is now expected to join the team ahead of the home series against Bangladesh in September. This upcoming series will see India facing Bangladesh in two Tests and three T20 internationals.
The recent changes in the coaching staff signal a new era for the Indian cricket team under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir. Alongside Bahutule, other notable additions to the support staff include Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches. T Dilip, who was part of the previous management led by Rahul Dravid, continues his role as the fielding coach.
India’s white ball tour of Sri Lanka, starting on July 27, will be closely watched as the team adjusts to the temporary coaching arrangements. Bahutule’s experience and tactical acumen will be crucial in guiding the Indian bowlers through this series. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the team performs under his guidance.
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