Morne Morkel Supports Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Comeback to Indian Team

Morne Morkel, the Indian bowling coach, has expressed his support for Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the national team after a four-year absence. He emphasized the importance of allowing Kumar to regain his form without succumbing to external pressures. Despite a challenging start in the T20I series against New Zealand, Morkel believes that with time, Kumar will find his rhythm. Additionally, Morkel explained tactical decisions regarding player selection, highlighting the need for young players like Mayank Yadav to reflect on their performances. This article delves into Morkel's insights on managing expectations and adapting to the demands of international cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 26, 2026, 10:23 IST

Morne Morkel Encourages Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Return

Morne Morkel, the bowling coach for India, shared insights on the guidance provided to veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he rejoined the national team after a four-year hiatus. Morkel advised the 36-year-old to 'stay true to himself' and emphasized the importance of allowing him to regain his footing in the squad over several matches. Bhuvneshwar, who significantly contributed to Royal Challengers Bengaluru's consecutive IPL victories in 2025 and 2026, made his return for the T20I series against New Zealand, much to the excitement of Indian cricket fans. However, his initial performances, with figures of 0/49 and 1/50 in the first two T20Is, have not met the high expectations set after his impressive IPL 2026 season, where he was the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 28 wickets in 16 games.

Morkel Discusses Expectations and Adaptation

In a conversation with the media regarding Bhuvneshwar's comeback, Morkel addressed the challenges of managing expectations after such a long absence from international cricket. He expressed understanding for the pressure Bhuvneshwar faces, stating, 'There will be expectations after four years of absence. He performed exceptionally well in the IPL, but transitioning back to international cricket is a different challenge with smaller margins for error.' Morkel highlighted that Bhuvneshwar had limited training time due to scheduling, which adds to the difficulty of his return.

Morkel continued, 'While his skills and experience are intact, it's crucial to respect the game and allow him to find his rhythm in a few matches. The message from the beginning has been clear: don't chase anything, just be yourself.' He reassured that with each game, Bhuvneshwar would improve and find his form, urging him to ignore external pressures.

Tactical Decisions and Player Management

Regarding the decision to play Prince Yadav over Mayank Yadav in the second T20I, where Prince achieved figures of 1/30 in four overs, Morkel explained that it was a tactical adjustment based on various factors, including the wet ball conditions and field dimensions. He noted the importance of allowing Mayank some time off the field to reflect on his bowling, as he is still developing his skills.

'This was purely a tactical change we deemed necessary for that venue. Prince has shown he can execute yorkers effectively, especially in challenging conditions,' Morkel stated. He acknowledged Mayank's solid performance in the first T20I, where he conceded 1/40 in four overs, clarifying that the decision was not performance-related. Morkel concluded that taking a step back could benefit Mayank, allowing him to better understand the nuances of bowling and how to set up an over.