With the 2026 T20 World Cup just ten days away, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has delivered a glowing assessment of the squad’s depth, describing the current bowling unit as a luxury of "X-factors." Speaking ahead of the fourth T20I against New Zealand, Morkel emphasized that India’s strategic flexibility is designed to keep opponents perpetually off-balance.
Morkel reserved his most vivid praise for Jasprit Bumrah, comparing the 32-year-old spearhead to a high-performance Italian supercar. However, he was quick to note that even the "best bowler in the world" requires mental support to manage the immense weight of national expectations.
He’s like a Ferrari car. If you can get the engine, the oil and all of that running well, the car will perform. Jasprit is highly skillful, but everybody needs somebody to talk to... Sometimes that burden can take its toll. I always check in with him to make sure he’s comfortable with the plans
Morne Morkel
Morkel revealed a shift in India’s T20 philosophy, moving away from traditional containment to a hyper-aggressive wicket-taking approach. The goal is to have opponents "six or seven down" by the 15th over.
Unpredictability: India has used bowlers like Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav in non-traditional one-over spells to disrupt batting rhythms.
The "X-Factor" depth: Morkel insisted that with 11 match-winners in the squad, selection is now purely based on conditions (ranging from New Delhi's heat to Colombo’s turn) rather than fixed hierarchy.
The Hardik bonus: Hardik Pandya’s return to full fitness and high-speed bowling has restored the team’s vital balance, though his lack of time with the bat in the New Zealand series remains a minor concern.
Despite a difficult series for Sanju Samson, who has managed only 16 runs in three innings, Morkel threw his full weight behind the wicketkeeper-batter.
Sanju is one knock away from finding his form back. Form is temporary. Building up to the World Cup, it’s important for guys to find that peak performance at the right time
Morne Morkel
India currently leads the five-match series 3-0 following a dominant eight-wicket win in Guwahati where they chased down 154 in just 10 overs.
