IND vs WI first T20I: Need to strike a balance between continuity and giving exposure, says Morkel

India bowling coach Morne Morkel felt that the five-match T20 series against the West Indies would provide a good platform to develop the country’s next batch of players in this format.

“Yes, it will be great for Indian cricket if we keep on growing that pool, keep on giving guys that experience and the taste of what it is to play in an Indian shirt,” said Morkel.

“The main goal will always be to win games. This group of players has played some exceptional cricket in the last couple of years. The guys who got opportunities have done a brilliant job. So it is about looking at the bigger picture, but you also want to win games with them. You want to give the guys who have done well so far the chance to continue that,” he added.

On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s development, Morkel was of the opinion that being around the team will be useful for the youngster even if he doesn’t make it to the XI.

“If he’s not getting that game time, he’s still on a bus, in the dugout, in the hotel with guys who have a lot of experience. Vaibhav sharing that sort of dressing room and talking to guys, watching how they go through their processes and how they set up an innings will be key.

“I’m a big believer that if you put guys in the right environment, they can ask the right questions and observe. I always ask him on the bus, ‘What’s the one thing you’ve learned today? Tell me, what did you think about that guy’s batting?’ That makes him think. The next time he comes to the nets, he will observe those things and adapt,” said Morkel.