'Don't Chase Anything': Morne Morkel's Heartfelt Advice to Bhuvneshwar Kumar After Tough India Comeback
Bowling coach Morne Morkel urges Bhuvneshwar Kumar to ignore expectations and "just be himself" after a tough start to his India return.
Returning to the international stage after a four-year hiatus is never easy, and for veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the comeback has started with a challenging spell. After a stellar run in the IPL, the 'Swing King' has found the transition back to the Indian national side a bit rocky during the T20I series in New Zealand. However, bowling coach Morne Morkel is standing firmly behind the 36-year-old, urging him to ignore the noise and trust his instincts.
Managing the Pressure of Expectations
Bhuvneshwar Kumar entered the New Zealand series with immense momentum. He played a pivotal role in securing back-to-back IPL titles for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025 and 2026, and in the 2026 season, he was a force to be reckoned with, finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 28 wickets in 16 matches.
Despite this domestic dominance, the international return hasn't mirrored those numbers yet. With figures of 0/49 and 1/50 in the first two T20Is, the veteran has struggled to find his rhythm. Speaking to reporters in Wellington, Morne Morkel revealed the specific message he has been giving the pacer: "Do not chase anything, just be you."
Morkel emphasized that the gap between IPL success and international cricket is significant, especially when a player has been away for four years. He noted that while Bhuvneshwar trained for a month, the "margins are small" in international cricket, and the limited training time due to the tight schedule has made the transition harder.
"I have got a lot of sympathy for his return... there will be expectations after 4 years to come out. One is to block the expectation factor out," Morkel stated. "The skill and his experience, everything is there, but at the end of the day, you have to respect the game of cricket, and you have to be able to allow him to just find his feet in some of the games."
Tactical Shifts: Prince Yadav Over Mayank Yadav
Beyond the struggles of the veteran, Morkel also addressed the team's tactical decisions regarding the younger crop of bowlers. In the second T20I, the team opted for Prince Yadav over the Lucknow Super Giants star Mayank Yadav. Prince impressed with figures of 1/30 in four overs, leading many to wonder why Mayank was sidelined.
Morkel clarified that the decision had nothing to do with Mayank's performance—highlighting that Mayank had bowled well in the first T20I (1/40 in four overs)—but was purely a tactical move based on the conditions.
Why Prince Yadav Was Chosen:
- Dew Factor: The team was bowling second, and a wet ball makes grip and control difficult.
- Field Dimensions: The specific size of the venue required a different approach.
- Yorker Execution: Morkel highlighted Prince's ability to nail yorkers at the death, which was crucial for the match scenario.
Developing Raw Talent
The coach also touched upon Mayank Yadav's growth, suggesting that sitting out a game can actually be beneficial for a young bowler. Morkel described Mayank as "raw," noting that he still needs to learn the art of reading a game and setting up an over.
According to Morkel, giving a young player time to reflect on their bowling is a vital part of their development. He praised Prince Yadav's ability to execute in all phases of the game, while maintaining that Mayank remains a key part of the future, provided he gets the time to mature his craft.