India bowling coach Morne Morkel has offered his full backing to experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar following a difficult start to his international return in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. The 36-year-old pacer, who earned a recall after consecutive stellar seasons in the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has conceded heavily in the opening two matches in Christchurch. Despite picking up a wicket, his economy rate has climbed, leading to outside questions regarding his readiness for international cricket after a four-year absence from the national setup.
Handling Expectations and External Noise
Addressing the media ahead of the third T20I in Wellington, Morkel emphasized that patience is required as the veteran seamer finds his rhythm in high-intensity international fixtures. The coaching staff has urged the fast bowler to ignore outside chatter and focus purely on his natural strengths.
- High Expectations: Morkel noted that returning after four years naturally brings intense scrutiny and high expectations from fans and experts alike.
- Limited Preparation: The bowling coach pointed out that a busy schedule provided only a brief training window before stepping back into international competition.
- Clear Messaging: The team management has advised the senior player not to chase outcomes but to focus on executing his core skills.
- Series Lead: India currently hold a comfortable two-nil advantage in the five-match series following victories in Christchurch.
Coping with Wellington Conditions
As the squad prepares for the next encounter in Wellington, the players face an unusual adversary in the city’s notorious gusty winds alongside the threat of rain. Morkel acknowledged that the fierce conditions present a unique challenge for both batters and bowlers, requiring quick mental adjustment.
The coaching staff remains confident that the team can adapt swiftly to the windy environment and maintain their momentum as they look to seal the series in the upcoming fixture.
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