As India gears up for their much-anticipated five-match Test series against England, the team’s preparations are well underway under the watchful eye of bowling coach Morne Morkel. With an intra-squad match between India and India A scheduled for June 13, Morkel offered a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes action, praising the professionalism and intensity the players have shown since landing in England.

India began their on-ground preparations on June 7, diving straight into high-intensity training sessions designed not just for acclimatisation but to tactically counter England’s now-famous ‘Bazball’ approach. Morkel, speaking through a BCCI video, shared his optimism about how the team has responded so far.

“The first couple of days, conditions were ideal for fast bowlers — overcast and spicy pitches. That helps the bowlers get into rhythm and gives batters a good challenge early in the tour. These are the kind of conditions that allow you to test your skillset from the get-go,” Morne Morkel noted.

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He also admitted that while the current practice surfaces may not reflect what’s to come in the actual Tests, they are valuable in helping the squad sharpen their approach. Morne Morkel was particularly vocal about the importance of India’s pace attack.

With Jasprit Bumrah returning to red-ball cricket after a six-month hiatus, the South African great stressed the need to manage him through planned spells during practice. “It’s about gradually building him up. This isn’t just about fitness — it’s about rhythm, timing, and confidence,” he said.

Bumrah will be joined by Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh to form the core pace group, with Shardul Thakur and newcomer Nitish Reddy adding all-round seam depth. Morkel highlighted how crucial consistency will be across conditions. “It’s easy to talk when the ball’s moving. But when the pitch goes flat, that’s when character counts. That’s when we’ll need bowlers to step up and show what they’re made of,” he said.

With India entering a transitional phase, the focus is not just on immediate results but also long-term cohesion. This series marks the start of a new World Test Championship cycle and the beginning of Shubman Gill’s full-time Test captaincy era following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Morkel believes the new leadership group, combined with the hunger and energy among the players, bodes well for the future.

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“We’ve got a great variety in our attack — different styles, strengths, and personalities. It’s a diverse group, but what unites them is their commitment to getting better,” Morkel explained. “I was initially a bit concerned with the lack of recent red-ball match play, but the way they’ve trained over the past few days has been very encouraging.”

He signed off with a positive outlook: “There’s a fantastic vibe in the camp. The energy, the team spirit — it’s everything you want before a big series. We’re in a good place, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”