Emerging Stars Take Center Stage in ODI Series: A Chance for Arshdeep, Harshit, Prasidh

India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, emphasized the need for the team to quickly shift focus to white-ball cricket after their challenging Test series loss to South Africa, as they aim to reclaim momentum against a “dangerous, confident” Proteas team.

Following a 0-2 defeat in the Test series in Kolkata and Guwahati, India faces South Africa in a three-match ODI series. Speaking before the series opener on Sunday, Morkel acknowledged the mental challenge of transitioning from Tests to limited-overs cricket but highlighted the team’s determination to make that switch.

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Morkel shared, “The last two weeks were disappointing, but we’ve had some time to reflect. Now it’s crucial to channel all our energy into the white-ball format. We’ve played strong white-ball cricket recently, and I’m eager for the upcoming weeks,” during the team’s first practice session at the JSCA stadium.

SA hold the momentum; India needs a robust start

Morkel cautioned about South Africa’s buoyant mood after their Test series triumph. He noted, “The switch to colored clothing and a different ball injects new energy, but South Africa has momentum. A confident Proteas is dangerous, so it’s vital for us to start strong in the coming weeks and move past the recent setbacks.”

While the 2026 T20 World Cup is on the horizon, Morkel rejected the notion of using the ODI series solely as preparation for the event. “Whenever you don the India jersey, you represent countless fans cheering us on. The priority now is to restore momentum within the team with solid white-ball performances,” he stated, expressing enthusiasm about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rejoining the squad.

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When questioned about the lineup involving KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, Morkel refrained from discussing selection matters, saying, “My focus is on bowling. Selection is handled by the captain and selectors.”

Assessing Ranchi’s conditions: seam versus spin

With matches under lights, Morkel stressed the importance of assessing Ranchi’s conditions. “It was colder when I arrived. We’ll observe the ball’s behavior during evening practice,” he explained, hinting at a possible balance between pace and spin. “The pitch resembles South African surfaces. Discussions about combinations will be finalized post-training.”

Progress of Gill and Iyer

Morkel provided positive updates on Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer as they recover from injuries. “I checked in with Shubman recently; he’s recovering well,” he mentioned.

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“Shreyas has started rehab, which is promising. Their return is anticipated, and it’s encouraging to see them healthy and preparing to rejoin the team.”

Opportunities for rising bowlers

The series offers a platform for younger bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna, given the absence of several seasoned players. “It’s a chance for Arshdeep, Harshit, and Prasidh to compete against a strong lineup. Their experience in white-ball cricket is vital in handling pressure, death bowling, and wicket-taking. I’m eager to see their performance,” said Morkel, adding his belief in the value of experienced players like Kohli and Rohit for future tournaments if they remain physically and mentally prepared.

Published on Nov 28, 2025