Morne Morkel 'blown away' by Jasprit Bumrah and Co. on first day at office with Indian cricket team

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Morne Morkel on his first day at office as the bowling coach of the Indian cricket team was 'blown away' by the professionalism of the pace pack gearing up for the first Test against Bangladesh starting September 19.

The former South Africa quick is set to start his stint with the Indian cricket team with the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. He has already joined the Indian team practicing at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai - the venue for the first Test.

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and Yash Dayal are the four pacers picked for the first Test. While Bumrah is returning to action for the first time after the T20 World Cup final on June 29, Siraj was last seen in action in the ODI series against Sri lanka in August.

Akash and Yash featured in the first round matches of Duleep Trophy 2024. 27-year-old Akash Deep picked nine wickets including a five-wicket haul in the second innings against India B. Yash Dayal was part of India B and picked four wickets against India A.

“I was blown away by how they went about their things and how professional they were. So, that's a good sign and hopefully we can build on that,” said Morne Morkel in a video posted by the BCCI on Saturday, September 14.

Morkel looking to develop friendship with Team India stars

Further, the former speedster, who played 86 Test matches until 2018 and picked 309 wickets, said that he has played against a lot of cricketers in the current Indian team, and therefore forming a bond of friendship was important to start with.

"It is just important to connect well with the guys. I've played a lot against some of the players. I've seen and connected a little bit to some of the guys playing in the IPL and to now be in a camp, and to form friendships and to form relationships for me is very important," he said.

Morne Morkel has also played against head coach Gautam Gambhir, and under his captaincy at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The duo then worked together as coaching staff members at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Morkel was offered the role of India bowling coach after recommendation from Gambhir, who has earlier went on record to say that the lanky pacer was one of the toughest bowlers he faced in his career.