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According to a report, Morne Morkel has returned home due to a personal emergency, and it is not clear at this stage whether he will return to join the side.
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has left India’s practice camp in Dubai to return home. According to a report in Times of India on Monday night, the former South African fast bowler has returned due to a personal emergency at home. Dainik Jagran has reported that Morkel returned home due to his father’s demise. Morkel, who was appointed for the top job in September last year, had travelled 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.
He was, however, absent from Team India’s second practice session on Monday, February 17, which was done under lights.
According to the available information, it is not clear at this stage whether Morkel would return to join the side in the coming days.
Morkel’s absence is a setback for India. The Indian team is set to start its campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Thursday, February 20, against Bangladesh in Dubai. The match between the two Asian teams is scheduled to take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan is the host nation of the Champions Trophy 2025, but due to tense political relations between India and Pakistan, India refused to travel to Pakistan last year, after which the ICC moved its matches to Dubai.
The high-voltage match between India and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in Dubai on Sunday (February 23), and in its third Group A match, India will face New Zealand at the same venue on March 2. The first semifinal will be played in Dubai on March 4, and the final, if India qualifies for it, will also take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 9.
The 10th edition of the Champions Trophy, which is making a comeback after eight years, will start on Wednesday, February 19, with a match between defending champions Pakistan and New Zealand at National Stadium in Karachi. In addition to Dubai and Karachi, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi will also host the Champions Trophy matches, which will be played between eight teams.
- Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)