Morne Morkel Leaves India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Camp In Dubai To Fly Back Home

Morne Morkel, former South Africa cricketer, and India bowling coach has returned home from Dubai. Morkel was with the Indian team, who are training for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at ICC academy in Dubai.

According to the most recent sources, Morkel arrived with the team on February 15 but left a few days before India's opening game.

On February 16, Morkel was present for the ICC Academy's afternoon practice session. He did not, however, attend the team led by Rohit Sharma's first practice under the lights on February 17. On Monday, the squad practiced with the complete contingent present, except the bowling coach.

Morne Morkel's Absence Adds to India's Fast Bowling Woes

With Jasprit Bumrah sidelined with a lower back injury, Morne Morkel's absence is a blow to India. After a 14-month injury layoff, Mohammed Shami is still getting back to his best, and teenage pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana have only played in 12 ODI matches between them.

The only other fast-bowling option is still Hardik Pandya. For the conditions in Dubai, India has chosen a team that is mostly focused on spin, with Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel leading the spin unit. Additionally, Varun Chakravarthy, a mystery spinner, was chosen by the selectors to replace Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The reason behind Morne Morkel leaving India’s Dubai camp and flying home

The Times of India reported Monday evening that Morne Morkel had returned to South Africa because of a personal issue. According to Dainik Jagran, he left because of his father's passing. When or whether he would return to the Indian team for the Champions Trophy is unclear.

In September of last year, Morkel took over as bowling coach after Gautam Gambhir was named head coach. He became a member of a support team that included fielding coach T Dilip, assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate. Recently, Sitanshu Kotak became the team's batting coach.

India to play all their games in Dubai

After an eight-year break, the Champions Trophy will be back on the cricket calendar. Eight teams will compete in various locations, such as Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Lahore, Karachi, and Dubai. The first match is scheduled on February 19 in Karachi, where defending champions Pakistan will play New Zealand.

At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 20, India will play Bangladesh in the opening match of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign in Dubai.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Ignores BCCI Diktat; Gets Special Food Delivered In Dubai During Practice Session