Morne Morkel, India’s bowling coach, has vacated the Indian camp in Dubai and is on his way home. Times of India has stated that the former South African fast bowler is going home due to a personal emergency. Morkel, recruited for the top job in September last year, had traveled to Dubai with the Indian team on Saturday, February 15, and attended the team’s first practice session ahead of the start of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday.
However, he missed team India’s second practice session on Monday, February 17, which was held under lights.
At this moment, it is not clear if Morkel will be back with the team in a few days.
Morkel’s absence is bad news for Indian cricket. The Indian team will embark on its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on Thursday, February 20, against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Although Pakistan is the host nation for the Champions Trophy 2025, India refused to travel to the country last year because of difficult political relations between the countries. This has led to moving the matches to Dubai.
India’s first match in the tournament against Bangladesh followed by Pakistan which will take place on February 23 in Dubai, after which they face New Zealand on March 2 in Dubai for the third match in Group A. The first semifinal will be played in Dubai on March 4 and, if India qualifies, the final will be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 9.
The 10th Champions Trophy, returning after an eight-year hiatus, will begin with a match between defending champions Pakistan and New Zealand on Wednesday, February 19, at the National Stadium in Karachi. Besides Dubai and Karachi, matches in the Champions Trophy will also be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi among eight teams.
