‘Give yourself options’: Morne Morkel outlines India’s fast bowling vision for ODI World Cup 2027

Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel (Getty Images) TimesofIndia.com in Dharamsala: India’s first ODI assignment since the T20 World Cup is also the start of a longer trip to South Africa, where conditions next year are likely to favor pace, bounce and bowlers capable of hitting the deck hard.With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable and Harshit Rana still recovering, the Afghanistan series could offer India an early look at some of the fast bowling options competing to join them on this flight. Bowling coach Morne Morkel suggested that expanding India’s pace reserves ahead of the World Cup was very much part of the consideration of the opportunities likely to come the way of youngsters such as Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar.“That is definitely part of our mindset and our vision – to give ourselves options for the World Cup in South Africa,” Morkel said on the eve of the first ODI in Dharamsala.“It’s good for Indian cricket that we’re giving the boys opportunities under pressure against good opposition and we’ll see what they can do.“Fortunately we have two guys in the team in Prince and Gurnoor. I’m pretty sure Gautam (Gambhir) will give those guys a chance and see how they do in the Indian trick.“It’s different playing international cricket with that India badge.Morkel has been encouraged by what he has seen from the pair since they joined the team.“My first impressions, it’s almost like they’ve been part of the team for five years. I didn’t see any nervousness on their faces, although I can imagine coming into this team they’d be pretty nervous.”“I think the way they trained, the energy they trained with was very nice and good to see.“In terms of their skills, I can also see that they put a lot of work into it. They were on the money, accurate.”While the immediate focus is on Afghanistan, Morkel made it clear that the leadership’s crosshairs are on a bigger target.“For me it’s just taking lessons from South Africa, taking lessons from New Zealand and looking to improve our white-ball game, especially our 50-over game,” he said.“That’s the goal now – to look for small improvements and make sure that when we come to the World Cup next year, we’re peaking at the right time.”