
Kuldeep Yadav and Morne Morkel exit raises eyebrows – Are we being told the whole story? (Image courtesy: puneripages.in)
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
Something about this story made me pause. Kuldeep Yadav, one of India’s most consistent bowlers recently, suddenly being sent back from the Zimbabwe tour—just days before the T20 World Cup? And Morne Morkel stepping down as India’s bowling coach shortly after? It didn’t sit right with me. And the more I read and listened, the clearer it got: there’s more to this than meets the eye.
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A Sudden Exit That Didn’t Add Up
When Kuldeep was dropped after just one match in the Zimbabwe T20I series, it felt abrupt. The official statement said he was being “rested.” But let’s be honest, we’ve all followed Indian cricket long enough to know that “rested” isn’t always what it sounds like. This was a guy who played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup win just weeks ago. Why would you sideline your in-form spinner right before a crucial tournament?
Then came the whispers. Rumors swirled about a fallout between Kuldeep and India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel. Some even said that Morkel was unhappy with Kuldeep’s attitude or training discipline. Whether or not that’s true, the timing of Morkel’s resignation—just after the Kuldeep decision—felt too coincidental.
What Could Have Gone Wrong?
From what I’ve been able to piece together from various reports and some cricket forums, there may have been a disagreement on bowling strategies. Kuldeep is known to be creative and often thinks out of the box. Maybe that clashed with Morkel’s more structured South African style? Add to that the high pressure and politics of Indian cricket, and things can go south fast.
Also, we’ve seen it before—players falling out of favour despite form. The internal dynamics in the dressing room can often be as tricky as the pitch itself.
Fans Are Confused (Just Like Me)
Scroll through any comment section or Reddit thread and you’ll see it: fans asking the same question I had—”Why drop Kuldeep now?” It’s frustrating when decisions aren’t explained clearly. We invest emotionally in these players. We celebrate their highs, and when something like this happens, we want answers.
Kuldeep hasn’t said much publicly, and maybe he never will. But if there was indeed a rift or disagreement, I hope the BCCI learns to handle it better. These are not just players—they’re people who carry the hopes of millions.
What Happens Next?
For Kuldeep, I believe this isn’t a setback—it’s a pause. He’s shown time and again that he can bounce back. And if this exit was because of internal issues, maybe it’s a good thing it came out now.
As for Morkel, I honestly liked him. He brought calmness and experience to the team. If he left due to differences, it’s unfortunate. But maybe Indian cricket needs someone who understands its emotional, unpredictable heartbeat a little better.
Final Thoughts
This whole saga is a reminder that behind the stats and match results, there are stories, egos, and emotions at play. And as fans, while we may not get the full picture, we deserve honesty.
Kuldeep, if you’re reading this somehow—just know that we’ve seen your fight before. And we’ll wait to see it again.
Indian cricket moves fast. But some questions—like this one—shouldn’t be brushed under the carpet so easily.