Gold Coast, 5 November 2025:
India bowling coach Morne Morkel said the team is balancing experimentation and preparation as they gear up for the fourth T20I against Australia on Wednesday, with the five-match series level at 1-1.
Speaking to reporters at the Gold Coast Stadium, Morkel said managing combinations ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup remains a key priority.
“Arshdeep is an experienced bowler and understands the bigger picture,” Morkel said when asked about team selection. “We’re trying out different combinations and he knows how valuable he is to the team. He’s taken the most wickets for us in the powerplay, so there’s no question about his quality. But on this tour, it’s also about exploring other options, and he’s completely on board with that.”
Morkel admitted that striking a balance between winning games and testing new players is a challenge for the coaching group.
“It’s never easy, there’s always some disappointment around selection,” he said. “As coaches, we just ask players to keep working hard and be ready for their chance. With limited games left before the T20 World Cup, it’s important to see how players perform under pressure. Otherwise, we go into the tournament with unknowns. It’s about finding that balance — testing combinations while maintaining the mindset to win.”
Asked whether experimentation carries risk, Morkel agreed but stressed the importance of flexibility.
“You definitely need to have options,” he said. “Every team around the world is doing the same. We may have one or two combinations that feel settled, but in modern T20 cricket you have to be adaptable. Players need to know how to handle different roles and situations.
“With a World Cup around the corner, you don’t want to leave any stone unturned. You don’t want to look back and think, if only we had tried that combination earlier. So it’s about being smart with how we approach these games.”
On match preparation, Morkel said adapting to venue dimensions and pitch conditions is part of the process.
“When you arrive at a new ground, the dimensions and boundary sizes immediately influence your plans,” he said. “Our players are smart and experienced enough to adjust. From there, it’s about reading the pitch and identifying the best bowling options for the conditions.”
Providing an update on allrounder Nijith Kumar Reddy, Morkel said the youngster had gone through all his scheduled drills.
“He did everything expected of him today — fielding, batting, bowling — and ticked all the boxes,” Morkel said. “We’ll assess him further to see where he stands.”
The fourth T20I will be played at the Gold Coast Stadium on 6 November, followed by the series finale in Brisbane on 8 November.
