Champions Trophy 2025: India Coach Returns Home Due To Personal Emergency

Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has reportedly returned home from Dubai due to his father's demise, reported Dainik Jagran.

India will commence their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, and there’s no confirmation on whether he will return to join the set-up during the 50-over event.

The former South African paceman, who was given the job last year, arrived in Dubai with the entire Indian team on February 15 and also attended the team’s afternoon practice session at the ICC Academy on February 16. Morkel, however, didn’t turn up for the session on February 17 (Monday).

India have an off day on February 18 (Tuesday) but are likely to train on Wednesday, reported the Times of India.

The Men in Blue will be without their ace paceman, Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury.

Mohammed Shami is making his return from a long injury and hasn’t looked at his best, while Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana haven’t played enough ODIs.

India do have a strong spin-bowling unit and will rely on them to put pressure on the opposition.

Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are certain starters, while another spin-bowling all-rounder, Washington Sundar, will serve as their backup. One of Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy will start in the XI.