The Morkel family is in a great dilemma as India will take on South Africa in the Round of Eight of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Both India and South Africa went through the group stage to confirm their seats on the next flight.
When India and South Africa square off on February 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Mariana Morkel, mother of Albie Morkel and Morne Morkel, will be in a state of being indecisive as Albie is with South Africa and Morne is with India.
International stats of Albie Morkel and Morne Morkel
Ahead of South Africa’s Group D clash against the UAE at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Albie Morkel, who played one Test, 58 ODIs, and 50 T20Is and is now with the national side for the 2026 T20 World Cup as a consultant coach, stated that their mother will be more worried than anyone during the upcoming India vs South Africa match.
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On the other side, Morne Morkel, who played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for the Proteas, is working as the bowling coach of Team India.
Mother doesn’t to know who to support: Morkel
It was also asked of Albie if he would like to exchange some coaching thoughts with his brother Morne ahead of the highly anticipated clash. Taking no time, Albie said that they don’t talk to each other.
“No, we don’t talk to each other. I think my mother, she’s more worried than us. “She doesn’t know who to support, India or South Africa,” Albie Morkel said in the press conference on Tuesday.
Morkel expecting high class matches in the Round of Eight
In the press conference, Albie emphasized the real tournament will begin from the round of eight. In Group 1 of the stage, South Africa will play against India, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. He believes that all the scheduled matches they are going to play will be highly competitive, with extra pressure.
“I think the World Cup really starts now, even though we had a tough group. Now you face India, possibly Australia or Zimbabwe, and the West Indies in our group. So it’s really tough. It’s going to be all good games. Yes, there will be more pressure on those games because as you move later towards the playoffs,” he added.
He had faith over South Africa
Albie further claimed that he has enough faith in their batters and bowlers, who gained ample experience from exposures, whether in the Indian Premier League (IPL) or in international matches. They know how to handle pressure situations.
“But I feel we’ve got a very experienced group of bowlers, and batting is better, so guys that have been exposed to that, whether it’s an IPL or other leagues or in international cricket, are a little bit different. But guys that can handle that pressure—they actually will thrive in those circumstances where there’s a bit more pressure on the games—so I’m not too worried,” Albie Morkel briefed.
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