Morkel reveals KL Rahul's big role in Sri Lanka Test - Rediff

Indias bowling coach Morne Morkel has underscored the significance of experienced wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul for the teams success in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, particularly highlighting his leadership in adapting to challenging conditions.IMAGE: KL Rahul’s experience could prove crucial for India in the Sri Lanka Test. Photograph: BCCI/XKey PointsMorne Morkel, Indias bowling coach, believes KL Rahuls experience will be vital for the team in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.Rahul is the only batter from Indias 2017 touring side still in the squad, making his insights into Galle conditions invaluable.Morkel praised Rahuls recent batting form and highlighted his communication skills as beneficial for younger players adapting to Sri Lankan pitches.Indias early arrival in Sri Lanka allowed players to develop individual game plans and understand how to score on the Galle surface.Morkel suggested that playing three spinners could be a viable option for India, given Galles traditional conditions and Indias strong spin attack. Indias bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul to play an important role for India in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, highlighting the batters experience and his ability to help the younger members of the squad adapt to the conditions.India will play the first Test of the two-match series from August 15 at the Galle International Stadium.Notably, Rahul is the sole survivor from Indias 2017 touring sides batting group, with Morkel highlighting his experience as a valuable asset for the team in Galle.Speaking to reporters during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Galle Test, Morkel praised Rahuls recent batting and said his experience and communication will help the younger players prepare for the conditions in Sri Lanka. He added that Indias early arrival has allowed the players to work on their individual game plans and understand how to score on the Galle surface.Rahuls Leadership and PreparationKL, the last couple of years, the way hes been leading up front with the batting has been exceptional, and thats a sort of communication that we expect him to speak to the guys here in the preparation at the nets and about what to expect. But I think, our guys have learned a lot about their games individually over the last couple of months and thats one of the reasons why weve come out here 10 days earlier to give the guys the best opportunity to prepare to work on their individual game plans and individual game plans, and yeah, just to figure out how theyre going to score on the surface here, Morkel said.Strategic Options for Galle ConditionsMorkel said three spinners could be an option given Galles conditions and Indias attacking spin attack. He added that the surface looks good initially but could offer more as the Test progresses, with India focused on adapting mentally, batting for long periods and maintaining discipline with the ball.I think, traditionally, you look at the venue, the stats, and how thats been played up. Thats a sort of the way to go. I think, the way that we go with our spin bowling attack, our spinners, its a very attacking option. And then you can sort of create pressure with seam from one side and always allow yourself with spin to operate from a, from another end, Morkel said.But looking at the surface for me, it looked like a good surface, and I think as the Test match will go on, something will start to happen. But for us, weve prepared basically for all that can come our way. And for us, its more about the mental challenge now facing these conditions, batting time, bowling those spells, and getting the ball in the right area, he added.India started their Sri Lanka tour positively as they beat Sri Lanka Cricket XI by six wickets in their three-day warm-up match, with Devdutt Padikkal scoring an unbeaten 142. Indias squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan.