India suffers a devastating blow ahead of the Champions Trophy when a veteran departs the Dubai camp to go back home

Just days before the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening clash for India, bowling coach Morne Morkel’s departure from the camp in Dubai is said to be heading back to his home. Reports from Jagran News state that Morkel returned home due to the death of his father, Albert.

Morkel was absent from the team’s practice on February 17. It is unknown if Morkel will be back to support Team India for the tournament.

During the practice session, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was in apparent discomfort after sustaining a knee injury following a Hit from a Hardik Pandya delivery. As Pant lay on the ground, the team’s physio attended to him immediately. Eventually, he was seen limping off the field. Pant did not feature in any of the ODI matches in the home series against England. India’s primary choice for wrenchkeeper is batter KL Rahul.

Of Pakistan, and a nation reclaiming its cricketing narrative

India will play the game against the Bangladesh team led by Najmul Hossain Shanto on February 20 which will be conducted at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The second game for India in the group A will be against Pakistan on February 23. After that match, there is quite the gap until the game against New Zealand where India will be facing off against them on March 2.

India’s pace-bowling attack

The squad has three frontline trained specialists for the pace attack. After Bumrah pulled out of the event with a lower back complaint, there was an opportunity for young Harshit Rana to make his debut at a white-ball ICC event. While veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has returned from injury, Arshdeep Singh is apparently also in the squad. The rest of the pace batting options include all rounder Hardik Pandya.

Spin-heavy in Dubai

Given the conditions in Dubai, India has selected a side with more spin bowlers. After naming spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja, alongside specialist patsman Kuldeep Yadav, the selectors took out young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for in-form mystery patsman Varun Chakravarthy. For more Latest Sports Update; Visit 1xbetfair

India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja