India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has opened up on the importance of the part-timers for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The former South African pacer said having more batters who can roll their arm over, gives them options while selecting the team.

Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma can chip in a few overs if needed. However, India has quality all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel in the team. Washington Sundar is part of the stand-by players list.

Morne Morkel said in a pre-match press conference, “When it comes to roles in T20 cricket, first you look at the scoreboard. As a bowler, you need to tell yourself that it is important now to take wickets or squeeze in a couple of dot balls. But, the more guys that can give the captain options, it’s obviously a great position to have.

“Yes, we will have our frontline guys who are going to attack. But, if we can keep on developing part-time guys to do the job, that gives us so many options in terms of combination for selection. It’s important that once guys have those sort of skills, they keep on working on it and get better,” the former Proteas pacer added.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav didn’t get a single game on the tour of England but he played in the Duleep Trophy and bowled 32 overs. Morkel said the wrist spinner is ready for the continental tournament.

Yadav said, “He’s a very professional athlete. His attitude since England, where he received hardly any game time… Kuldeep has bowled a lot of overs in his career. He knows what to do to get himself ready for T20 cricket. When we train, we have focus; there’s a purpose behind it. We have goals and from there it’s up to them to go out and lead with the ball.”

India, eight-time Asia Cup champions, open their campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium on September 10.