WATCH: Morne Morkel ‘unhappy’ with Hardik Pandya’s bowling approach, has intense serious discussion in nets

New Delhi: India’s newly appointed bowling coach, Morne Morkel, faced some challenges as the T20I series against Bangladesh approached. During the first nets session for players included in the Bangladesh T20I squad, all-rounder Hardik Pandya focused on his bowling practice. However, Morkel expressed dissatisfaction with Hardik’s technique, leading to an extended discussion between the two about necessary adjustments. Reports indicated that Morkel was concerned about Hardik’s tendency to bowl too close to the stumps.

During the nets session in Gwalior, Morkel focused on refining Pandya’s run-up, particularly while the Indian all-rounder shadow-practiced his bowling action, according to a report from the Indian Express.

The report further said that Morkel had complained to Pandya about the habit of bowling too close to the stumps and had discussed this issue directly with him. It is rare for Morkel to be talkative, but on return to his bowling mark, he kept handing back cards to Hardik. According to the report, Morkel concentrated specifically on the release point as well in his session with Hardik.

After finishing his work with Hardik, Morkel turned his attention to left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, along with newcomers Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav, who were making their first appearances for India in the T20I series.

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Having secured the Test series 2-0 over Bangladesh, next in line is the three-match T20I series starting from Sunday. Young guns like Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav are keen to repeat the success they enjoyed in IPL and take home games in this series as well after coming under the wings of BCCI selection committee’s trust.

Players such as Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, and Nitish Kumar Reddy will also be eager to seize the opportunity, while the series serves as a crucial second chance for mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has not donned India’s T20I jersey for quite some time.

India’s T20 squad: Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav.