File picture of Morne Morkel, left, with Lucknow Super Giants’ Mayank Yadav. The South African has been appointed bowling coach of the Indian men’s cricket team
| Photo Credit: PTI

Morne Morkel, former South Africa speedster, has been appointed as India’s men’s cricket team’s bowling coach. Morkel’s appointment completes trio suggested by the new head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Jay Shah, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, confirmed that Morkel will join for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. The Hindu understands that Morkel will arrive in India in time ahead of the weeklong preparatory camp in Chennai, likely to begin from September 10.

ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir | A steady presence

Morkel, after having been Gambhir’s teammate at the Indian Premier League franchisee Kolkata Knight Riders, was roped in as the bowling coach by Lucknow Super Giants during Gambhir’s stint as the mentor.

Besides his experience as bowling coach in franchise cricket across the globe, Morkel also worked as the bowling coach of Pakistan men’s team during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

Ahead of his appointment last month as the head coach, Gambhir had stressed on roping in Morkel along with Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate. While the other two joined as assistant coaches for the limited overs tour to Sri Lanka, Morkel’s appointment was delayed since he wasn’t available to join at such a short notice.

Besides, the BCCI hierarchy is understood to be averse to having too many overseas faces in the team’s support staff. Morkel’s appointment thus completes Gambhir’s wishlist. It will be interesting to see how he shapes the pace battery for the big five-match Test series in Australia later this year.

File picture of Hardik Pandya holding the T20 World Cup trophy at the felicitation ceremony for the team at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai
| Photo Credit: PTI

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to lead India in the three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka starting July 27.

However, one of the heroes of India’s T20 World Cup victory last month will take a break during the three-match ODI series, which is scheduled in August, due to “personal reasons”.

“Hardik Pandya was India’s T2O vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is completely fit and available for the three-match T20I series and will lead the side,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Rohit retired from T20 Internationals at the end of the World Cup.

The T20Is against Sri Lanka will run from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele, followed by the ODIs from August 2 to 7 in Colombo. The squad for the series is expected to be announced in the next couple of days.

While there is still no clarity on who would be Pandya’s deputy, the toss-up is between Shubman Gill, who recently captained India to a 4-1 series win over Zimbabwe, and Suryakumar Yadav, who led the side during the T20Is against South Africa last year.

About the ODIs, the official confirmed that Pandya has asked for leave and has already communicated this to regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who is also taking a break from this series.

“The break from ODIs is for very personal reasons. Hardik doesn’t have any fitness issue as is being floated in the media,” the official said.

For the ODIs, KL Rahul, who led in the last ODI series in South Africa, and Gill are in contention for the leadership role.

Thrust on domestic availability

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has made it clear that even star cricketers must make themselves available for domestic engagements when they are free from national duty. But exceptions will be made for the likes of Rohit, Virat Kohli and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

The BCCI would, however, want all the other Test specialists to play at least one if not a couple of Duleep Trophy games in August as a precursor to the Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

“This time there is no zonal selection committee for Duleep Trophy. Only national selection committee will pick Duleep teams.

“All Test team contenders will be picked. For Rohit, Virat and Bumrah, it will be their choice if they want to play or not,” the source added.

New Delhi:

The Lok Sabha congratulated the Indian cricket team on Monday for winning the T20 World Cup. Speaker Om Birla said the country’s youngsters and sportspersons would derive inspiration from the victory.

Mr Birla congratulated the team led by Rohit Sharma on the feat.

India lifted the T20 World Cup after a 17-year gap, beating South Africa by seven runs in the final on June 29. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A galaxy of film stars, led by Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, and Anupam Kher, to Kajol Devgn and Raveena Tandon, and a galaxy of other celebrities from all walks of life joined a delirious nation to cheer Team India for pulling off an incredible T20 World Cup win against South Africa at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Saturday night.

Celebrated screenwriter and poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar was brimming over with pride as he took to X to write: “Calm, cool, focused, together and determined to win. Our whole nation stands to learn so much from these boys!!! Congratulations and thank you, Cricket Team of India.”

Shashi Tharoor, Thiruvananthapuram’s Congress MP and one of the country’s leading public intellectuals, expressed the sentiments of numerous fans when he wrote on X: “Team India won the greatest and most exciting cricket match I have ever seen! Bereft of words … seeing the emotions of the players on both sides on the TV screen says it all … A privilege to be alive and able to witness such a contest. Well played South Africa — and congratulations to the magnificent #BoysInBlue!!”

Tollywood’s Mega Star Chiranjeevi could not contain his joy, like every other Indian. Going on X, he commented: “INDIA ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!! What an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC way to win the ICC T20 World Cup after 17 long years!!! Bravo Virat Kohli!”

Continuing with his roll of honour, Chiranjeevi said: “Take a bow Bumrah, Hardik, Axar, Arshdeep and the triumphant captain Rohit Sharma and the entire team for the superb performances!!! And that out of the world catch by Surya Kumar Yadav is just WOW!!”

Chiranjeevi’s superstar counterpart in Malayalam cinema, Mohanlal, an avid cricket fan, had this to say: “And that ends India”s 11-year wait for an ICC trophy! Team India brings home glory from Barbados, thanks to incredible teamwork, a crucial partnership between Virat Kohli and Axar Patel, and a devastating spell from Jasprit Bumrah, serving up a gripping game that kept us on the edge of our seats until the very last ball! Couldn’t be prouder of this team!”

Gushed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, “What a final!!! Congrats, India, and well played, South Africa. Super World Cup … let us have more cricket in the West Indies and USA!!”

Ritesh Aggarwal, founder-CEO of Oyo Rooms, shared the sense of elation sweeping India. “Unbelievable performance by the entire team!” Aggarwal commented on X. “Though I could not be there in person, this feeling is unreal! Still buzzing from the electrifying India vs Pak match. What a journey it has been.”

Bollywood diva Kajol took to Instagram to share her fangirl moment: “I’m still screaming and can’t get the smile off my face … So so happy and so so proud! So many heroes who performed at this match … truly a team effort!”

Raveena Tandon, who carried a picture of her celebrating holding up the Tricolour, said: “Just amazing #teamindia. Many many congratulations! You don’t know how happy you’ve made your country! What a win!!!!! Bharat Mata ki Jai!!!!!!”

Senior actor Anupam Kher could only exclaim “India” like an excited child in a toy store as he took to Instagram Reels to celebrate India’s historic win after 2007.

Ananya Panday was equally brief, but expressed the sentiments of millions when she described Team India as “our true champions”.

Anil Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna forwarded the BCCI’s celebratory post on X that simply said: “CHAMPIONS!”

Varun Dhawan had more to say. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “What a team what performances @rohitsharma45 leading from the front in every game @virat.kohli the #goat playing his last T20 for India bringing so much joy to every Indian. Rahul Dravid was always one of my most favourite players and now to see him win a World Cup as a coach hits the spot. Bharat Mata ki JAI.”

An emotional Ayushmann Khurana commented: “Whatta match! Whatta bunch! This Indian team has given joy to billions of Indians. We are the world champions! The superpower of cricket! Our generation is the luckiest to see India emerge as the World Cup winners thrice since 2007. Two T20s and one ODI. Learning and taking cues from the last ODI World Cup final, here we are as bona fide winners! Jai Hind!”

Randeep Hooda was a little more analytical. He said: “From the land of batsmen comes a bowling squad that wins it!! Bumrah is the God of swing & Arshdeep & Axar (batsmen too) .. Kohli the bat & Rohit the revenge … heart goes to #SA too, so close and so far too many times … thank you Rahul Dravid.”

Kartik Aaryan, the young Bollywood star who most recently played Paralympian Murlikant Petkar on the big screen, cheered “Team India, who refused to surrender.” He added: “Ab World Cup nahin, dil jeet liya hamesha ke liye (You have won not only not only the World Cup, but our hearts forever). Historic Win!”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The country witnessed euphoric celebrations last evening as Team India won the T20 World Cup, with fans flooding the streets carrying the Tricolour in their hands.

Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages and images of celebratory scenes as India edged past South Africa by seven runs in the final match of T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval, Barbados to clinch an ICC title after 11 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian Cricket Team for bringing the ICC T20 World Cup “home in style”, while President Droupadi Murmu commended their “never-say-die” spirit.

Uttar Pradesh police also joined the chorus to praise Team India’s stunning win, but with a twist..”Breaking News: Indian bowlers found guilty of breaking South African hearts. Sentence: Lifelong love from a billion fanss,”the UP police posted on X – earlier known as X.

: Indian bowlers found guilty of breaking South African hearts.

: Lifelong love from a billion fans! #INDvSAFinal#T20WorldCupFinalpic.twitter.com/UPaCzgf6vm

— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) June 29, 2024

Two of India’s greatest ever cricketers – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – announced their T20I retirements yesterday after the T20 World Cup win. While Kohli announced his retirement minutes after the historic triumph, India captain Rohit Sharma announced it in the official post match press conference.

The final match against South Africa was a nail-biter, with India defending a target of 176 runs. The Proteas, needing 30 runs from the last 30 deliveries, appeared to have the upper hand. However, India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, held their nerve in the crucial moments. Pandya, in particular, shone in the final over, successfully defending 16 runs and sealing a dramatic seven-run victory for India.

File picture of former England ODI captain Eoin Morgan
| Photo Credit: AP

India’s remarkable reservoir of talent and formidable depth within their squad makes them strong contenders to win the upcoming T20 World Cup, feels former England skipper Eoin Morgan.

India have gone with almost the same squad as they had in the last edition of the T20 World Cup while adding the likes of young Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson.

“The strongest side even with injuries throughout the tournament is India. Their strength and depth is absolutely incredible,” Morgan said on Sky Sports.

Also read | ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024: full schedule, dates and venues

“And it’s almost probably, we’re talking about who the players that were missed out in their squad of 15 because of the quality that they possess.

“They are favourites for me, the quality they have on paper, if they produce it I think they can beat anybody quite well in the tournament,” he added.

India were spoilt for choice as they were forced to leave the likes of Shubman Gill and K.L. Rahul.

“The only decision I would have had differently and if I was selecting the squad, I would have Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal. I have played alongside him, I know how he thinks. I know how he works.

“I feel he’s a future leader within that side and I think in big moments, in World Cups the more leaders the better. Even if he’s sitting on the sideline, you still need inspiration from here and there, a sense of positivity.”

India head into almost every tournament as favourites but they haven’t won an ICC title in over a decade. The last trophy the ‘Men in Blue’ lifted was the Champions Trophy in 2013.

In the last edition of the T20 World Cup they were hammered by 10 wickets by eventual winners England in the semifinals in Adelaide.

“I think they can (win), because they have go to a stage now where Adelaide would hurt, recently losing the (ODI) World Cup at home to Australia in front of 1,25,000 Indian fans.

“The spinner will come into the game, the level of batsmanship will come into the game if the wickets slow down like we think. But also that excellence in power hitting is the point of difference for me. Shivam Dube has to play,I think he’ll set this World Cup alight.

Irony that only time India won T20 WC was pre-IPL: Atherton

Many argue that India’s cricket in T20 format has improved by leaps and bounds since the advent of the IPL.

But former England captain Michael Atherton pointed out that it ironical that the only time India won the T20 World Cup was before the IPL came into being.

“It’s also an irony, because everyone talks about the IPL and how it has improved India’s T20 cricket. The irony is that the only time they have won is pre IPL,” Atherton said.

India were the first T20 World Cup winners in 2007. Under the captaincy of the talismanic Mahendra Singh Dhoni, they had beaten arch-rivals Pakistan.