India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel is pleased with the team’s training intensity ahead of the five-Test series in England. He highlights consistency, character, and preparation as key to success as India kicks off their ICC WTC 2025–27 campaign on June 20 in Leeds.
As Team India gears up for a challenging five-match Test series in England, bowling coach Morne Morkel has expressed immense satisfaction with the team’s preparation and spirit during their ongoing training camp in the UK. The series, which begins on June 20 in Leeds, marks the start of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and promises to be a crucial phase for both India and England in their quest for early dominance.
India’s red-ball preparations began soon after their arrival in the UK on June 7. Since then, the players have been rigorously grinding it out in practice sessions that have seen high intensity and focus. Speaking in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Morkel said he was pleased with what he has witnessed so far.
“Seeing how the guys are moving around and training in the last three days is a pleasing sight,” Morkel remarked. “I was a little bit nervous in terms of the lack of red-ball cricket we’ve played lately, but the group looks fantastic. There’s some quality energy and that’s what you need. You need to go into a Test series confident and with strong team spirit.”
India last played a red-ball game during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January. Since then, most players have been involved in white-ball formats, including the IPL and the Champions Trophy, making this camp crucial to adjusting back to the demands of Test cricket.
The team is scheduled to play an intra-squad match starting this Friday in Beckenham. According to Morkel, the two-day practice session leading up to the match has provided bowlers with favorable conditions, challenging the batters in the process.
“In the two-day practice so far, the conditions suited the fast bowlers. It was testing for the batters, which also in a way helps them to prepare for what’s to come,” he said. “I don’t think the wicket is going to be as spicy as the ones we experienced here, but the banter between bat and ball has been good.”
Highlighting the importance of maintaining intensity irrespective of the playing surface, Morkel stressed the need for character and consistency. “As soon as the wickets go flat, the bowlers tend to back off. I am going to tell them not to only talk when the wickets are nipping around, but when it’s flat—that’s where we are going to need character.”
The South African veteran, now part of India’s coaching setup, believes the diversity in India’s bowling attack will be a major asset in English conditions. “We’ve got a great variation and variety in our attack, guys with different skill sets. They can do that and still execute the basics well. Consistency is crucial in England—whether in practice, on the field, or off it. It’s about finding your process, understanding what works for you, and sticking to it.”
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The Test series schedule includes matches at iconic venues: Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord’s in London, Old Trafford in Manchester, and The Oval in London. Each venue brings its own set of challenges, from swing-friendly early conditions in Leeds to the flat pitches often seen at The Oval.
With the stakes high and a new WTC cycle beginning, the pressure is on both teams to start strong. For India, Morkel’s words are reassuring. His belief in the team’s preparation and character bodes well as they enter one of the most demanding tours in international cricket.
