ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Bowling coach Morne Morkel rejoins India squad in Dubai

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Bowling coach Morne Morkel rejoins India squad in Dubai

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has rejoined the team after attending to a personal emergency back home and was part of the squad’s training session here on Wednesday.

Morkel had to leave the Indian camp a couple of days before the team’s Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh on February 20.

The former South Africa pacer was seen having a long chat with head coach Gautam Gambhir as the players did their warm-up drills at the ICC Academy here.

Shubman Gill, who has been India’s stand out batter in the tournament, was the only one who did not turn up for practice.

Rishabh Pant has recovered from an illness and trained on Wednesday with the rest of the squad.

India enjoyed a couple of days off after outplaying Pakistan in its second group game. It has already reached the semifinals from Group A alongside New Zealand.

Both teams will face each other in their last group match here on March 2.

India, which last won the Champions Trophy in 2013, is favourite to lift the title considering its spin heavy squad combination and the way it has played thus far in the tournament.

India play all its games in Dubai where the pitch has been slow and aided the spinners so far.

Considering the hybrid model of the tournament, India is the only side which is playing at one venue and that has been questioned by the likes of former England skipper Michael Atherton, who sees it as an undeniable advantage to Rohit Sharma and Co.

While the tournament is hosted by Pakistan, India will also play the final in Dubai if it qualifies.