The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly planning changes to the Indian team’s support personnel regardless of the outcome of the fourth and fifth Tests in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Morne Morkel, the bowling coach, and Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, are likely to be fired if the BCCI undertakes a thorough evaluation of the series’ results. While the duo may remain in their posts until the Asia Cup in September due to time restrictions, the Board is considering making changes ahead of the home Test series against the West Indies, according to sources cited by The Telegraph.
Morkel and ten Doeschate were appointed by current head coach Gautam Gambhir, but their performances, particularly in red-ball cricket, have reportedly fallen short of expectations. Gambhir has had a difficult start to his red-ball coaching career, with the squad winning only four and losing eight of its first 13 Tests.
However, the BCCI is unlikely to replace the head coach for the time being because the team is in transition.
Morkel has been under fire for some time, and the controversial choice to deploy Anshul Kamboj, who failed to bowl above 120 km/h, appears to have harmed his reputation.
“The coaches always talk of balance but keeping a world-class wrist spinner like Kuldeep Yadav out has had disastrous consequences,” the source said as quoted by The Telegraph.
It is also understood that the roles of two members of the national selection committee, chairman Ajit Agarkar and East Zone representative Shiv Sundar Das, have come under scrutiny. Reports suggest growing concerns over internal disagreements between the team management and selectors, particularly highlighted by the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav from all matches in the series.
The BCCI’s frustration has also been directed toward former South African pacer, who has reportedly failed to groom a single standout fast bowler nearly a year into his tenure as bowling coach. Likewise, ten Doeschate’s specific responsibilities have come under the scanner, with everyone questioning his contribution. While the BCCI has shown considerable patience, the upcoming home Test series could serve as an ideal window for restructuring the support staff.
India
