Rift Between Gambhir And Morkel After India Head Coach Scolded South African For Tardiness

Last Updated:January 15, 2025, 13:22 IST

Rumours of rift continue to trickle down from the Indian camp with a latest report claiming that Morne Morkel was reprimanded by Gautam Gambhir during the Australia tour.

Morne Morkel (left) was named India bowling coach upon Gautam Gambhir’s suggestion. (BCCI Photo)

India head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly took exception to bowling coach Morne Morkel’s tardiness during the recent Australia tour so much so that he had a word with the South African fast bowling great at the ground itself. Morkel is said to have been late to a training session due to a personal engagement which didn’t go down well with Gambhir.

According to The Times of India, Morkel was also “bit reserved” during the rest of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which the Indian team lost 1-3.

The BCCI has been informed about the incident and it’s up to Gambhir and Morkel to patch things up for the team’s sake.

“Gambhir is very strict about discipline,” TOI quoted a source as saying. “He reprimanded Morkel immediately at the ground. The board has been told that Morkel was a bit reserved during the rest of the tour. It’s up to these two to sort it out for the team to function smoothly.”

The members of Indian coaching staff is also under scrutiny after the team failed to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final.

India have lost six of their last 10 Tests since Gambhir’s appointment as the head coach. The role of batting coach Abhishek Nayar is being questioned with the BCCI taking inputs from the players.

“Batting coach Abhishek Nayar is particularly under the scanner,” the daily quoted the source as saying. “Gambhir himself has been an accomplished batter. The board has asked the players if Nayar is bringing anything new to the table. Similarly, the assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate’s role is being discussed. His lack of international experience and ability to contribute to enhancing an international cricketer’s performance has been questioned.”

Earlier, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla had rejected reports of rifts between India Test captain Rohit Sharma, coach Gambhir and chief of selectors Ajit Agarkar after India’s lackluster show during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.