Morkel Confident in Shami's Recovery and Bumrah's Leadership Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy
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| The first Test between India and Australia will take place at Perth Stadium from November 22-26, with high stakes in the World Test Championship. / Getty |
India’s preparation for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy received a significant boost as bowling coach Morne Morkel praised Mohammed Shami’s remarkable return to competitive cricket. The 34-year-old pacer, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup Final, recently marked his comeback with a stunning seven-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy.
Speaking ahead of the series opener in Perth, Morkel emphasized the importance of patience as Shami regains full fitness.
“Shami is a world-class bowler, but we need to respect him and his body. He has been out of the game for almost a year. For us, it’s a massive win that he’s back playing. Picking up wickets in the first game is a great sign,” said Morkel.
Shami played a pivotal role in Bengal’s thrilling 11-run victory over Madhya Pradesh in his first professional game in a year, demonstrating his readiness to contribute to India’s Test setup. However, Morkel reiterated that the team management would not rush the seasoned campaigner’s recovery.
“It’s about being patient and giving him the best opportunity to find his rhythm in all formats,” he added.
Bumrah Steps Up as Captain
With regular skipper Rohit Sharma unavailable for the first Test due to personal commitments, Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead India. This marks Bumrah’s second stint as Test captain, having previously led India in the format against England in 2022.
Morkel expressed confidence in Bumrah’s leadership abilities, calling him a “natural leader” who commands respect both on and off the field.
“Jassi immediately put his hand up for the leadership role. He has been successful here in the past, and he knows what to expect. With the ball in hand, he’ll lead from the front, and the younger guys will follow,” Morkel stated.
Support from Experienced Players
While Bumrah takes on the captaincy challenge, Morkel highlighted the importance of the experienced players in the squad, such as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, in providing guidance.
“There’s a lot of experienced guys who will help him. When he’s bowling, and there’s a million things going on in his head, they’ll bring calmness into the team,” Morkel noted.
🗣️🗣️ In terms of leadership, in terms of how he looks at the game and approaches the game, he's a natural leader for me.#TeamIndia Bowling Coach Morne Morkel on @Jaspritbumrah93's leadership qualities.#AUSvIND | @mornemorkel65 pic.twitter.com/TBxjVze8WV
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 20, 2024
Australia Eye Historic Series Win
Meanwhile, Australia’s bowling spearhead Josh Hazlewood acknowledged his team’s determination to end India’s streak of Test series wins Down Under.
“It’s one we need to tick off. Beating India in a Test series is a huge motivation for us,” said Hazlewood.
As both teams gear up for the series opener on November 22 in Perth, the stage is set for an intense battle between two cricketing giants.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 – Key Details
- First Test: Perth Stadium, November 22–26
- India Captain: Jasprit Bumrah (Rohit Sharma unavailable)
- Australia Captain: Pat Cummins
The series promises to be a thrilling contest, with high stakes in the World Test Championship and a rich history of fiercely fought matches between the two teams.