Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
India bowling coach warns packed schedule is causing mental fatigue
India fast bowling coach Morne Morkel says players are facing mental fatigue after a demanding run of cricket and travel.
Some members of the T20 team played at the Asian Games in Japan before joining India's series against the West Indies.
They also travelled to Delhi for a presentation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and returned to Bengaluru ahead of the fifth T20 international.
Morkel says rest and mental recovery help players perform at their best, and urged people to allow for occasional off-days.
His comments come as India prepares to travel to New Zealand for another packed schedule.
He praised the bowlers for continuing to deliver despite the demands.
India fast bowling coach Morne Morkel said a packed schedule is causing mental fatigue among players.
He praised the bowlers for continuing to perform despite the demands.
Some players went from the Asian Games in Japan straight into a series against the West Indies, Morkel said.
He said players need time to recover, sleep well and feel mentally refreshed to perform at their best.
India was due to travel to New Zealand for another busy schedule.
- Who
- India fast bowling coach Morne Morkel spoke about the demands on the team’s players.
- What
- Morkel said a packed schedule is causing mental fatigue and urged people to be measured in their criticism of the bowlers.
- When
- On the eve of the fifth T20I, reported on October 17, 2026.
- Where
- Bengaluru, where the fifth T20I was due to be played.
- Why
- Players have faced a busy run of matches, travel and other commitments, leaving limited time to recover.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Some players took part in the Asian Games before going straight into the series against the West Indies.
Players travelled to Delhi for a presentation meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then returned to Bengaluru.
Morkel spoke about mental fatigue and the demands of the schedule.
The team was due to fly to New Zealand for another busy schedule.
- Coach
- Morne Morkel, India fast bowling coach
- Match
- Fifth T20I, against the West Indies
- Venue
- Bengaluru
- Previous event
- Asian Games in Japan
- Next tour
- New Zealand
What people are saying
One thing that we sometimes forget is that mental fatigue plays a big part.
So, that is the reality and these guys are also human
your execution and your skills will be better when you've recovered well, when you've slept well, and once you've mentally refreshed and that is a challenge.
we can allow them to make a mistake and allow them to have an off game and not be on them, because of the mental load and expectation on these players