Ahead of the T20I series against Bangladesh, India’s newly appointed bowling coach, Morne Morkel, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Hardik Pandya’s bowling during a nets session in Gwalior. The all-rounder was practising his bowling, but Morkel was unhappy with Hardik’s approach.
According to reports, the main issue stemmed from Pandya bowling too close to the stumps, a technique Morkel wanted to address. As per the Indian Express, Morkel spent considerable time advising Hardik on making technical corrections, focusing on his run-up and release point. Morkel, known for being reserved, was unusually vocal, offering feedback after each of Pandya’s deliveries.
Technical Adjustments and Discussions
The extended discussion between Morkel and Pandya highlighted areas for improvement in the bowler’s technique. Hardik, who was shadow-practicing his action, had to adjust his approach based on Morkel’s guidance.
The coach was specifically concerned with Hardik’s proximity to the stumps during delivery, which could impact his effectiveness. Morkel meticulously worked on refining Pandya’s release point, ensuring that the bowler’s mechanics would be fine-tuned for the upcoming series. The interaction illustrated Morkel’s hands-on coaching style and dedication to improving India’s bowling attack.
Shift in Focus to Young Bowlers
After working with Hardik, Morkel turned his attention to other pacers, including Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav, the latter two being newcomers to India’s T20I squad. With the first match against Bangladesh fast approaching, these young players, alongside Hardik, were eager to showcase their skills. The series offers them an opportunity to build on their IPL performances.
Meanwhile, other talented players like Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, returning to the T20I fold after a long absence, aim to make the most of their chances in this high-stakes series.
Morne Morkel’s intense focus on Hardik Pandya’s technical adjustments demonstrates the coach’s commitment to fine-tuning India’s bowling attack.
By addressing specific areas like run-up and release point, Morkel aims to ensure Hardik’s performance reaches its full potential. As the team prepares for the Bangladesh T20Is, Morkel’s hands-on approach with both experienced players like Hardik and newcomers like Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav highlights his strategy of building a strong, cohesive pace unit that can excel on the international stage.
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