Bowling Coach Backs Bhuvneshwar, Urges Him to Ignore Outside Noise and Focus on His Game

WELLINGTON, October 26(HS): India may have taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 International series against New Zealand, but bowling coach Morne Morkel remains dissatisfied with his team's performance with the ball. He acknowledged that some decisions could have been better and stressed that the bowlers needed to execute their plans more effectively on the field.

Morkel said the team had initially made allowances for travel fatigue and limited preparation time, but emphasised that standards now had to improve.

India won the opening T20I by successfully chasing a target of 226 runs, before clinching the second match while pursuing 181, with the winning runs coming off the penultimate ball of the innings. Although the Indian batters delivered impressive performances in both games, the bowlers struggled to contain New Zealand's scoring.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of the third T20I, scheduled to be played in Wellington on Tuesday, Morkel said the expected par score at the venue in the previous match was around 180-190 runs. He acknowledged that India's bowling had fallen short of expectations during certain phases of the opening game, with the bowlers occasionally failing to make the right choices.

However, he said players also needed the freedom to trust their instincts and make decisions independently, allowing the coaching staff to review those choices and identify areas for improvement afterwards.

“We allow the players to trust their judgement and make decisions. We can discuss those decisions afterwards. We must also remember that the groundsmen have prepared an excellent pitch. If both teams score more than 200 runs, it is an indication of a good batting surface,” Morkel said.

The bowling coach also praised New Zealand's running between the wickets, pointing out that on large grounds, batters needed to look beyond boundaries and sixes and recognise opportunities to take two runs. Such awareness, he said, created additional scoring options and put pressure on the opposition.

Morkel described the series as a valuable learning opportunity for India's bowlers. While the coaching staff could communicate strategies and plans, their effectiveness ultimately depended on how well the players executed them under match conditions.

“We gave the players some leeway in the first two matches, considering the travel, jet lag and limited practice time. But there can be no excuses now. We have had sufficient rest, and we need to raise our standards. Improving the small details can help us perform better,” he said.

The third match of the series will be played in Wellington on Tuesday, where strong winds could present an additional challenge. Morkel said the conditions could affect several aspects of the game, including batters' stance and balance at the crease, as well as bowlers' execution.

He said the players would need to assess the conditions during practice and warm-ups. Once the match began, however, they would have to avoid becoming preoccupied with the weather and concentrate on delivering their best with every ball.

“The wind is a new experience for us. I could feel the entire building shaking at the hotel this morning. The players will have to adapt to these conditions. We have limited time to practise, so we need to make the most of it. We have to embrace the challenge rather than make excuses,” Morkel said.

The Indian bowling coach also came to the defence of experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has returned to international cricket after an absence of nearly four years. Bhuvneshwar has conceded 99 runs in eight overs across the first two matches of the series, taking just one wicket.

Morkel said considerable expectations accompanied Bhuvneshwar's return. Although the pacer had performed well in the Indian Premier League (IPL), international cricket presented a different challenge, particularly given the limited preparation time and demanding schedule.

“I have a lot of sympathy for Bhuvneshwar's return. There will naturally be expectations when a player comes back after four years. He bowled exceptionally well in the IPL, but international cricket is a different challenge, where the margins for error are very small,” he said.

Morkel maintained that Bhuvneshwar possessed the necessary skill and experience and needed time to regain his rhythm without putting himself under additional pressure.

“Since he joined the squad, our message has been consistent: he does not need to chase anything. He should simply play his natural game. Expectations will always be there, but he can improve with every match and gradually find his rhythm. Instead of paying attention to outside noise, he should remain focused on his own game,” Morkel said.

India's bowlers will now look to deliver a stronger performance in the third T20I and help the team consolidate its advantage in the series.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar