• Source:PTI
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Champions Trophy 2025: India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has returned to South Africa due to a family emergency as per a report. The former South African fast bowler, who took up the role in September last year, had initially traveled with the Indian squad to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy.

The report in PTI suggested that Morkel was present during the team’s first practice session on Saturday as they prepared for the tournament, which begins on Wednesday. However, he was notably absent from the second training session on Monday. His sudden departure has raised questions about India’s coaching staff arrangements during the competition.

The development comes just as India geared up to began their campaign with a match against Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.
The Indian bowling attack for the ICC tournament comprises specialist pacers and one fast-bowling all-rounder in Hardik Pandya.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the event due to lower back injury, leaving the task of shouldering the fast-bowling responsibility on Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Shami, with Pandya being the fourth option.

Pakistan is the host nation of the tournament, but India will be playing all their matches in Dubai as per the hybrid model agreed by the concerned stakeholders.

The much-awaited match between India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place on Sunday.

The first semifinal will be played in Dubai on March 4, and the final, if India qualify for it, will also take place in Dubai on March 9.