Mumbai, India — February 21, 2026
As discussions continue over challenging batting surfaces in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has come out in support of pitch curators ahead of the Super Eight clash against South Africa.
Speaking before India’s key T20 World Cup encounter, Morkel said the curators at Wankhede Stadium and Narendra Modi Stadium had prepared the best possible wickets under the circumstances.
Challenging Conditions for Batters
Indian batters have struggled to accelerate on surfaces that have not fully favored stroke play. At one venue, moisture in the pitch made timing difficult, while at the other, the ball tended to hold up slightly, restricting aggressive batting.
Aggressive players like Tilak Varma found it difficult to find rhythm early in the tournament, while Suryakumar Yadav also needed time to settle at the crease.
Morkel acknowledged the challenge of producing high-scoring wickets late in a busy season.
“Preparing a 200-plus pitch toward the end of the season is not easy. The curators deserve credit for their effort,” Morkel said.
Pressure to Produce High-Scoring Games
With fans expecting big totals in T20 cricket, pitch curators often face intense scrutiny. Morkel emphasized that groundsmen work hard to deliver competitive surfaces that balance bat and ball.
He noted that predicting how a pitch will behave remains one of the most complex aspects of the game.
“Even on the day of the match, it’s difficult to know exactly how the surface will play. You may think there’s moisture or dryness, but accurate forecasting isn’t simple,” he explained.
Learning Curve for Team India
Morkel refrained from directly addressing whether heavy domestic usage contributed to tougher batting conditions. However, he stressed that the team has adapted well overall.
He pointed out that, except for the opening match, India has improved its approach by adjusting to conditions. In the first game, the pitch appeared to be a 170-run surface rather than a 200-plus one, and the team may have been overly aggressive at the start.
“Every game provides lessons. That’s the beauty of cricket,” he added.
Focus Shifts to Super Eight Clash
With India set to face South Africa in a crucial Super Eight fixture, the emphasis will now be on quick adaptation rather than pitch criticism. The coaching staff believes flexibility and reading conditions early will remain key to success.
