India bowling coach Morne Morkel
NEW DELHI: Defending champions India are undergoing final preparation for the Asia Cup 2025 with a high-intensity practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai from Friday. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India’s title defence starts on September 10 against hosts UAE in Dubai, followed by the blockbuster clash with Pakistan on September 14. The group stage will conclude against Oman on September 19 before the playoffs begin a day later.Bowling coach Morne Morkel, speaking to the media during the training session on Monday, offered insights into India’s readiness, their focus on all-rounders, and how the team is approaching a packed tournament.Building momentum in Dubai heat“It’s been very hot and sweaty so far, but enjoyable,” Morkel said. “We’ve got a very exciting white-ball group here. The buildup has been brilliant, and now it’s about stepping up the intensity. Once these guys put the Indian shirt on, they’ll be ready to go and put in a solid performance for the team.”
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He emphasised that training intensity would bridge the gap for those who didn’t get much game time on the recent England tour. “At practice, we make sure we train at a certain level. Once they cross the line, these guys know how to battle.”All-rounders at the heart of plansA recurring theme in India’s preparation has been the spotlight on all-rounders. Morkel revealed that several players, including Shivam Dube, have been bowling extensively in the nets.“For me it’s always important to use Shivam as a guy who can bowl four overs,” he explained. “I’m always pushing for all-rounders to work hard on both skills. Sometimes guys can get a little naughty in practice and focus on one. But here we want to leave no stone unturned. On the day, conditions might favour him more than somebody else, and he needs to be ready to deliver.”He also stressed the value of developing part-time bowling options. “The more guys who can give the captain an over here and there, the better. Yes, we’ll have our frontline bowlers, but those extra options give us flexibility in selection and combinations.”Kuldeep’s rhythm under the scannerAmong the frontline spinners, Kuldeep Yadav remains central to India’s white-ball strategy. Asked about the left-arm wrist-spinner’s rhythm, Morkel was reassuring.“Kuldeep is a very professional athlete. Even in England, where he didn’t get much game time, he was putting in the overs. He knows what to do to get himself ready. Our job is to make sure when we train, it’s focused and with purpose. He has bowled a lot in his career, and he knows how to prepare himself for T20 cricket.”Respect for Pakistan, but focus on IndiaIndia’s clash with Pakistan looms large, but Morkel struck a balanced tone. “They’ve come a long way with their cricket and have been playing a nice brand of cricket of late. We’re excited for the challenge and definitely won’t be taking them lightly. But for us, the focus is on what we can control – our intensity, our execution. Yes, we’ll analyze their strengths and weaknesses, but at the end of the day, it’s about the brand of cricket we want to play.”Recharge before the stormMorkel admitted the recent break was essential after a demanding England tour. “It was important to refresh and spend time with family. But planning never stops – conversations with fitness trainers, fielding coaches, Gautam (Gambhir) about how to improve players. There’s a lot of cricket coming up, so mentally recharging was key.”With India sharpening its all-round depth and fine-tuning bowling combinations, the Dubai camp will set the tone for their Asia Cup defence. And as Morkel summed up: “It’s about professionalism and leaving no stone unturned – so when Surya calls on someone, they’re ready to deliver.”