Morkel Addresses Bumrah’s New Ball Challenges in England Series

India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has highlighted the challenges faced by pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah during the ongoing Test series against England. In a candid assessment following the third day of the fourth Test in Manchester, Morkel noted that Bumrah has struggled with the new ball, primarily due to a lack of support from his fellow bowlers. This has hindered the team’s ability to apply consistent pressure on English batters.

Through this series, Bumrah has secured a total of **13 wickets** at an average of **26.69**, which includes two five-wicket hauls. Despite his impressive statistics, his effectiveness with the new ball has been limited. Morkel pointed out that while Bumrah dismissed openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett within the first 30 overs, the remainder of his wickets have primarily come when the ball has aged significantly.

Support and Pressure in Bowling

Morkel emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among the bowlers to enhance Bumrah’s performance. “I had a conversation with Bumrah last night. He is obviously a guy who is highly skillful, and he wants to create things for us with the ball,” he stated. He highlighted, “But at the end of the day, we need support from the other end as well. We are struggling to create pressure from both ends.”

The coach further elaborated that while Bumrah remains a world-class talent, other bowlers need to align their strategies to avoid leaking runs, which ultimately releases pressure on the star pacer. “He is number one in the world. At times you are going to get in the wicket column, but you need help from the other end,” Morkel added.

Morkel also addressed the decision to exclude spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI, opting instead for all-rounder Washington Sundar. He explained that the team’s batting order required bolstering due to previous collapses: “Kuldeep is world-class and bowling well. We are trying our best to find ways for him to get in, but the balance with batting throws it out a little bit.”

Challenges of a Testing Schedule

The ongoing Test series poses significant challenges, particularly with the absence of veteran bowler Mohammed Shami. Morkel acknowledged that the newer talents, including Prasidh Krishna, Anshul Kamboj, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep, are being tested as they adapt to the rigors of a five-match Test series.

“This is now the first time in a while we have gone into five matches. It should not be excused, but in terms of conditioning, getting the guys fit and ready for the Test series straight out of the IPL is sometimes an issue,” Morkel noted. He underscored the importance of balancing recovery time with maintaining bowling loads.

Morkel concluded by stressing the need for a strong core of bowlers who can rotate effectively. “At the moment, we do not have a lot of experience. We need to bring in new guys who are learning their trade in international cricket. It is not easy, but it is a phase we need to work through,” he stated.

As the Test series progresses, the focus will remain on whether India’s bowlers can provide the necessary support for Bumrah and improve their overall performance on the field.

England’s performance on Day 3 saw them start at **225/2**, with Ollie Pope and Joe Root building a solid partnership. The English batsmen capitalized on India’s bowling struggles, finishing the day at **544/7**, with a lead of **186 runs**. Despite Bumrah’s and Mohammed Siraj‘s fitness concerns, England managed to maintain control, with Root scoring a brilliant **150** and contributing significantly to the team’s position.

India, having initially set a target of **358 runs** in their first innings, will need to regroup as they aim to challenge England in the remaining matches of the series.