Battle of brothers: Morkel siblings Morne and Albie set for strategic clash in Super 8

India vs South Africa: Albie and Morne Morkel will face each other as coaches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super 8 stage, setting up a rare off-field sibling rivalry. Back home, their mother is torn between supporting India or South Africa.

The Super 8 stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup will not only witness two unbeaten sides collide, but it will also stage a rare off-field sibling rivalry.

Albie and Morne Morkel, once teammates for South Africa, now find themselves plotting against each other from rival dugouts. While Albie is serving as South Africa's specialist consultant for the tournament, Morne is part of India's support staff under head coach Gautam Gambhir, working as the bowling coach.

It is an unusual scenario in international cricket. Brothers have often shared dressing rooms and combined on the field. Far fewer have strategised against each other at a World Cup.

The subplot, however, extends beyond tactics and team meetings. Back home, their mother faces a dilemma that neither scoreboard nor strategy can resolve.

"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 had said recently in jest.

India and South Africa both progressed to the Super 8 unbeaten, heightening the stakes of their opening encounter in the next phase. Morne admitted that interactions between the brothers have been minimal during the tournament.