Does Kuldeep Have What It Takes to Prepare for T20 Cricket? Morne Morkel Weighs In

Dubai, Sep 8 (NationPress) Morne Morkel, the former South African fast bowler and current bowling coach for India, has commended Kuldeep Yadav for his dedication and readiness for the upcoming Men’s T20 Asia Cup. He noted that the left-arm wrist-spinner understands precisely how to prepare himself for T20 cricket.

Kuldeep's most recent T20I appearance was during the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where India triumphed over South Africa by seven runs to clinch the trophy in Barbados. With 69 wickets in just 40 T20Is, Kuldeep has proven his capabilities, although he was not part of India’s drawn 2-2 Test series in England.

In the quest for a spinners' position, Kuldeep faces competition from fellow wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who played a crucial role in India's victory at the 2025 Champions Trophy held in the UAE.

“He's a highly professional athlete. Despite not getting much game time in England, he remains committed and has continued to bowl. Kuldeep is experienced enough to know how to prepare for both T20 and white-ball cricket,” Morkel stated.

“We can only control what we can control, which is ensuring our training sessions are focused and goal-oriented. The players must take the lead when they step onto the field,” he added during a press conference on the sidelines of India’s practice at the ICC Academy on Monday.

The current weather in the UAE is extremely hot, and its impact on the new pitches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is still uncertain. “We need to assess the wickets. During the Champions Trophy, the surfaces were a bit worn out due to the amount of cricket played,” Morkel explained.

“Tonight, we will inspect the surface, and I believe there is significant grass cover on the square. This will help us gauge the conditions after the first game,” he continued. “In preparation, we are addressing all aspects and will finalize our plans on match day.”

Morkel also shared his thoughts on the mental challenges of the recent Test tour in England and how he rejuvenated himself at home before gearing up for a demanding cricket season with the Indian team management. “The England tour was mentally taxing. I took the opportunity to step away and mentally prepare for the intense months ahead,” he remarked.

“We have a packed schedule, and we will be away from home for a long time. I spent quality time with my family while planning never ceases,” he added.

“We maintain ongoing conversations with fitness trainers, S&C coaches, and fielding coaches, including Gautam, to explore how we can improve and support our players,” he concluded.