Is India’s Bowling Coach Morkel Satisfied with His Pacers?

Birmingham, July 6 (NationPress) India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel expressed his admiration for Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep after the duo secured 13 wickets, positioning India to potentially equalize the five-match Test series at 1-1.

At the close of Day 4 at Edgbaston, England stood at 72 for 3, still requiring 536 runs with seven wickets left, having been set a target of 608.

“Siraj is someone I hold in high regard,” stated Morkel post-match. “He consistently pushes his physical limits. Occasionally, his eagerness can lead to overexertion. Our focus is on harnessing that aggression and intensity, as he truly bowls with genuine passion.

“Such traits can sometimes lead to inconsistency. As the spearhead of the attack in this match, he claimed the wickets, but his relentless effort, even with an aching body, deserves acknowledgment. He consistently steps up when needed.”

Siraj’s five-wicket haul on one of the flattest pitches in England was a well-deserved accolade after much anticipation. “I’m very, very pleased with our progress,” Morkel remarked. “We had a thorough discussion after the previous Test about areas for enhancement, and I believe we’ve made significant strides. It’s a promising sign for a developing bowling unit, especially in the absence of one of our seasoned players, that they can adapt effectively.”

Regarding Akash Deep, Morkel noted: “He’s an aggressive bowler who challenges batsmen, often targeting the stumps. This is a crucial strategy in England, and it aligns perfectly with his bowling style.

“That was an exceptional delivery... to dismiss top player Joe Root in such a manner illustrates Akash’s caliber. The more confidence we instill in him, the more impactful his performance becomes. I hope he plays that remarkable delivery back on his phone tonight and aims to replicate it tomorrow.”

Morkel acknowledged the challenges posed by a flat pitch. “Your skill is severely tested on such surfaces. The margin for error diminishes significantly... but we anticipate a tough day ahead.”

On strategy, he elaborated: “On this type of surface, I prefer a field setup that allows for both short balls and potential dismissals. Predictability can make scoring easier, especially when the pitch is slow.

“Keep in mind both batsmen are aggressive players. They were bound to take risks, and credit goes to Shubman for taking a calculated risk to secure a wicket. At that moment, England was 80 for 5, so pursuing another wicket was a reasonable strategy.”

Looking forward to the final day, Morkel stated: “Our focus tomorrow will be on maintaining a good length, as we know a softer ball becomes more challenging to hit effectively.”