Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel, now serving as India’s bowling coach, has nothing but praise for Kuldeep Yadav’s dedication ahead of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup. The left-arm wrist-spinner knows exactly how to gear up for T20 cricket, Morkel said, highlighting Kuldeep’s professional approach.
Kuldeep last played a T20I for India in the thrilling 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados. India clinched the title by beating South Africa by seven runs, with Kuldeep grabbing 69 wickets in his 40 T20I matches overall. He skipped India’s recent 2-2 drawn Test series in England, but that didn’t dampen his spirits.
In the spin department for the T20 Asia Cup, Kuldeep faces stiff competition from fellow wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. Varun shone brightly too, playing a key role in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy victory in the UAE. Morkel noted during a press conference on the sidelines of India’s practice at the ICC Academy in Dubai, “Kuldeep is a very professional athlete. Even after getting limited game time in England, he kept bowling those overs. He’s bowled tons in his career and understands what it takes to prepare for T20 and white-ball cricket.”
Morkel emphasized focusing on what they can control right now. “Our training sessions are sharp and goal-oriented. We set those targets, and it’s up to the players to lead with the ball,” he added. With the UAE’s scorching heat right now, the team is curious about how it might affect the fresh pitches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the T20 Asia Cup matches.
“We’ll inspect the wicket closely,” Morkel said. “During the Champions Trophy, the surfaces looked worn out from heavy use. But tonight, we’ll get our first look—there’s good grass cover on the square. After the opening game, we’ll tweak our strategy. For now, we’re preparing for all scenarios and will decide on match day.”
Morkel also opened up about the mental toll of India’s grueling Test tour in England. “It was tough mentally, no doubt. I took time at home to recharge before this busy cricket season kicks off,” he shared. With a packed schedule ahead, including lots of time away from family, Morkel stressed the importance of balance.
He spends his breaks planning with the team—chatting with fitness trainers, strength coaches, fielding experts, and even Gautam Gambhir. “We’re always discussing improvements: How can we make players better? It’s non-stop for red-ball and white-ball teams, building squads and groups. But that break helped me refresh and get ready,” Morkel concluded. As India eyes success in the T20 Asia Cup, fans are excited to see Kuldeep back in action.
