India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel is all pumped up for the Men’s T20 Asia Cup, stressing that the team won’t underestimate any opponent. Speaking ahead of their campaign, he highlighted the need to respect every rival while sticking to India’s own game plan. This approach could be key as India eyes a strong performance in the T20 Asia Cup 2024.
The Indian squad kicks off their Group A matches against UAE in Dubai on September 10. Next up is the high-stakes clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai, followed by Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. Morkel, who once coached Pakistan’s bowlers, knows these teams have stepped up their cricket game. “They’ve come a long way and played some exciting cricket lately,” he said during a press conference after India’s practice at the ICC Academy. “We’re thrilled for the challenge and will treat them with the respect they deserve.”
Morkel emphasized focusing on what India can control. “We prepare hard and stick to our style of play,” he added. “Sure, we analyze opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, but it’s about our intensity and execution. That’s what matters most in T20 cricket.” Fans are eager to see how this strategy plays out in the Asia Cup matches.
Reflecting on the team’s build-up in Dubai, Morkel shared that it’s been hot and sweaty, but the vibe is positive. “We’ve got an exciting white-ball squad here, and our preparations have been spot on,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the first game against UAE.” This comes after India’s dominant 4-1 T20I series win over England earlier this year, reuniting the team for the Asia Cup.
To gear up, the players have ramped up practice intensity to match real-game pressure. “We train hard so that when they wear the Indian jersey, they’re ready for battle,” Morkel explained. “These guys have tons of T20 experience and different strengths. On match day, it’s about adapting quickly to conditions and executing well.” He also pointed out how T20 cricket helps teams gel faster, especially with unfamiliar wickets. “We’ll check the surface tonight and adjust accordingly,” he noted.
A big focus for the Indian team management is getting all-rounders and part-timers to bowl more, giving captain Suryakumar Yadav plenty of options. Morkel is a fan of players like Shivam Dube who can deliver four overs. “I always push for all-rounders to work on both skills,” he said. “In this setup, we leave no stone unturned. Conditions might suit one bowler over another, so being ready when Surya calls is crucial.”
He added that bowlers must read the scoreboard wisely—whether to hunt wickets or build pressure with dot balls. “Having frontline stars is great, but developing part-timers gives us more combinations,” Morkel concluded. “It keeps things flexible for selection and helps us dominate in T20 Asia Cup games.” With this mindset, India looks set to tackle the tournament head-on.
