India's fast bowling coach Morne Morkel has defended the team's bowlers against mounting criticism, pointing to the demanding schedule and mental toll as key factors affecting performance. The bowling unit has faced scrutiny following several high-scoring West Indies chases in the ongoing T20I series, with the decider scheduled for Saturday, October 17 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Morkel addressed the situation during a press conference at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in Bengaluru on Friday, October 16. He acknowledged the pressure on social media and the expectations placed on India's bowling attack, while emphasising the human element often overlooked by critics.

"I read everything that's written on social media. One thing that we sometimes forget is that mental fatigue plays a big part. We have to manage that and you have to be smart with it," Morkel said in the pre-match press conference.

Mental fatigue and the packed schedule

The travel burden has been particularly intense for several squad members. Some players competed at the Asian Games before being thrust directly into the West Indies series. Those who won medals at the Asian Games faced an additional commitment, flying to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Modi for a presentation before joining the team for the decider in Bengaluru.

Morkel highlighted how recovery and rest directly impact execution on the field. He pointed to the immediate transition from the Asian Games to the West Indies series and the subsequent move to New Zealand as examples of the relentless schedule facing the squad.

"And for me, 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're going to fly now to New Zealand. It's a jam-packed schedule there as well," Morkel said.

Defending the bowlers amid criticism

The bowling performances in the series have drawn criticism from various quarters. In the first T20I, India's bowlers restricted West Indies to 171 runs. However, the team failed to defend 249 in the second match, conceding 209 runs during a 223-run chase. The fourth T20I in Hyderabad saw the bowlers give away 247 runs, with Mayank Yadav conceding 52 runs across four overs and Arshdeep Singh conceding 52 runs before retiring hurt with a shoulder injury.

Morkel expressed confidence in his bowling unit despite the recent setbacks. He stressed that the mental load and expectations placed on these players should be considered when evaluating their performances.

"I've got a lot of respect for these guys, with the performances that they are at the moment producing for Team India, with the schedule we have," Morkel said.