India bowling coach Morne Morkel backed Rohit Sharma ahead of the series-deciding third ODI against England at Lord’s, saying the opener’s scores of 11 and 26 in the first two matches had not caused concern, according to the Times of India report.
Morkel said movement with the new ball had made batting difficult for openers throughout the series. The India bowling coach backed Rohit’s experience and the calmness that the former captain brings to the batting order.
“No doubt Rohit will work it out,” Morkel said. “He has done it in the past. He is experienced and he just brings that calmness to the batting line-up. So, without a doubt, no worries and concerns at all with the way he is going about things.”
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Morne Morkel backs Rohit Sharma ahead of Lord's ODI decider.
Rohit’s returns in the opening two ODIs had renewed discussion about his ODI future before the 2027 World Cup, but Morkel dismissed concerns about the opener’s approach.
India must adjust more quickly to the Lord’s surface
Morkel said India’s batters must assess the conditions at Lord’s before trying to take control of the innings. The bowling coach suggested that batters could use an additional five to 10 deliveries to become accustomed to the pace of the surface.
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Morne Morkel backs Rohit Sharma ahead of Lord's ODI decider.
India reached 233 in the second ODI after Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer provided a platform, but the middle order could not accelerate. England completed a four-wicket victory to level the series before the third match.
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Morne Morkel backs Rohit Sharma ahead of Lord's ODI decider.
Morkel said India’s experienced top and middle order understood how to build partnerships. The India bowling coach identified sustained partnerships as an important requirement in the decider.
Middle-over breakthroughs remain India’s bowling priority
Morkel identified middle-over wickets as India’s main bowling issue after England successfully chased 233 in the second ODI. The India bowling coach said the pace attack had executed its plans well, with Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar using extra bounce effectively.
England batter Joe Root finished unbeaten on 99, and Morkel pointed to the need for India to break partnerships during the middle phase. “It is crucial to get those wickets in the middle phase. We will keep working on ways to find those breakthroughs,” Morkel said.
Morkel also cautioned against giving India’s bowlers too much technical information immediately before the deciding match.
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