BCCI rejects head coach Gautam Gambhir's request to rope in Morne Morkel as bowling coach - Reports

Gautam Gambhir’s five recommendations have been rejected so far by the BCCI.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rejected Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir’s choice to rope in South Africa legend Morne Morkel as the bowling coach, according to the latest reports.

A few days ago, 2007 World T20I and 2011 World Cup winner Gambhir was appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team.

Gambhir’s first assignment with the Men in Blue will start with the away white-ball tour against Sri Lanka from July 27. The T20 World Cup 2024 champions will play three T20Is and as many ODIs against Sri Lanka.

Ahead of the upcoming white-ball tour, India head coach Gambhir is finding it difficult to select his coaching staff. Earlier, many reports suggested that the former cricketer wanted Vinay Kumar and Lakshmipathy Balaji as the bowling coaches, but the BCCI quashed his demands. 

Moreover, Gambhir also presented the option of having Ryan ten Doeschate in his coaching staff, but the Indian cricket board also rejected this option.

BCCI rejects Gambhir’s proposal for Morne Morkel as bowling coach

On July 12, a report emerged that newly-appointed head coach Gambhir has requested the cricket board to rope in South Africa legendary pacer Morkel as the bowling coach of the Men in Blue.

Interestingly, both Gambhir and Morkel have a good bond with each other and have also worked in the past with each other. In the Indian Premier League, the duo worked at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for two years. Gambhir was the mentor, whereas Morkel served as the bowling coach of the LSG side.

Morkel also served as Pakistan’s bowling coach during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, but resigned from the post before his contract was due to expire. According to the latest report by Economic Times, the BCCI has rejected Gambhir’s proposal of Morkel as the new India bowling coach. 

However, Gambhir’s preference for former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar as the assistant coach or batting coach might be considered by the BCCI, as per multiple media reports. 

It is to be noted that no official statement has been made by the Indian cricket board on the matter.

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