Lucknow, October 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India bowling coach Morne Morkel believes teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can accelerate his development by making the most of his time around experienced players, even if he does not get regular opportunities in the playing XI during the T20I series against West Indies.
Morkel said the 14-year-old should observe how senior players prepare, respond to different match situations and approach their innings, while also asking questions and reflecting on what he learns during training.
“I’m a big believer that sometimes, if you put guys in the right environment and they can ask the right questions and they can observe,” Morkel said, stressing that the coaching staff’s responsibility is to ensure young players continue to learn and grow regardless of their playing time.
Morkel said he regularly asks Sooryavanshi what he has learned from each training session and encourages him to analyse the batting of other players.
India are also considering their bowling combinations for Tuesday’s series opener at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, with Lucknow-based pacers Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav returning to the T20I setup.
Morkel indicated that the final XI could depend on how players returning from the Asian Games have recovered from travel and jet lag. India had won the men’s T20 gold medal at the Games and enter the series after securing the preceding ODI series against West Indies 2-1.
The bowling coach also highlighted the contrasting journeys of Mayank and Prince. Mayank’s raw pace gives India an additional X-factor after his injury setbacks, while Prince has progressed from being a net bowler to earning an international call-up through persistence and hard work.
Both pacers have IPL experience at the Ekana Stadium with Lucknow Super Giants, but Morkel said India would not rely solely on their knowledge of the venue. Instead, he expects the bowlers to adapt quickly to the conditions and execute their plans under pressure.
The centre pitch for the match has a red-and-black soil surface. The Ekana pitches were more bowler-friendly during the first half of IPL 2026 before becoming flatter later in the tournament. Recent rain could also provide early assistance to seamers, while the surface is expected to offer batting opportunities and bring spinners into play as the ball gets older.
Morkel said India had not settled on a fixed pace-versus-spin combination and would assess the conditions before deciding on the best balance. He also pointed to the venue’s large boundaries as a factor that could make additional bowling options valuable.
India could also have to choose between Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav. Morkel said Kuldeep has regained his confidence and rhythm and remains a major match-winner for the team.
With Jasprit Bumrah absent, Arshdeep Singh is expected to carry greater responsibility in the pace attack, alongside Mayank and Prince.
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