Morkel praises India’s cricket aces Rohit and Kohli, backs duo for ODI WC

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed the possibility of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli featuring in the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying that the veteran duo’s experience of winning trophies and handling the pressures in major tournaments will be important.

Though India lost the ODI series to Australia in October, Rohit was named Player of the Series after scoring a half-century in Adelaide and a century in Sydney. Kohli, meanwhile, picked successive ducks before regaining form with an unbeaten 74 in Sydney. The duo will be seen in action when India plays South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday.

“For sure, they’re quality players -- as long as they’re happy to put the hard work in and the fitness. I’ve always believed in experience, and to have that experience, you don’t find it anywhere. They’ve won trophies, they know how to play big tournaments.”

“So for sure, if they mentally and physically feel that their bodies can do that, it’s still a long way away -- the World Cup, by all means. I’ve played many games against them. I’ve had sleepless nights, bowling to them. So I know, as a bowler, what goes through your preparation when playing against them. So for me, definitely on board with that,” said Morkel in the pre-series press conference.

He also felt a change in format would help India, who are coming on the back of a 2-0 Test series defeat to the Proteas. “Obviously, it was a disappointing two weeks for us, but we had a couple of days now to reflect, and I think the important thing now is to give all our energy into the white ball team.”

“We’ve been playing a lot of good white ball cricket. It’s a couple of new faces in, not new faces, but fresh energy into the squad now with Virat and Rohit and them coming back. So, excited for the next two and a couple of weeks now with playing white ball cricket,” he added.

Against South Africa, India will be without newly-appointed skipper Shubman Gill due to a neck injury, while vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is still on the road to recovery from a spleen injury, which needed hospitalisation in Sydney. Morkel revealed the duo are progressing well from their respective injuries.

“I think the best is for the medical staff to give that. I spoke to Shubman two days ago just to check in with him, and he is recovering well. So that is pleasing to hear. Shreyas has also started his rehab, which is great.”

“So, we are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad. The good thing is that they are healthy, and they are starting their preparation on their way back into the team,” added Morkel.

Meanwhile, batting great Sunil Gavaskar has called for a “post-mortem” into India Test cricket after their aura of home invincibility was blown away by a second series whitewash in 12 months.

South Africa inflicted a record 408-run defeat on India in the second Test on Wednesday to take the series 2-0. It was India’s fifth defeat in their last seven home Tests dating back just over a year to New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep.

“You need to do a thorough post-mortem as to areas that you need to strengthen at the Test level,” Gavaskar told TV channel India Today.

“Bring in an outside perspective.

“Take Ravi Shastri, Rahul Dravid -- your two earlier coaches. Take Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar. Sit with them and formulate for the next five years what Indian cricket should be doing.”

Indo-Asian News Service