Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel has reportedly returned home from Dubai on Monday ahead of the start of the Champions Trophy due to his father’s demise.
Morkel was expected to play a crucial part in guiding India’s bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Indian team is currently stationed in Dubai, where they will play all their matches in the tournament.
In an earlier interview with BCCI, the bowling coach Morne Morkel revealed that the first call he made after landing the India job was to his father.
“When I ended the call, I sat for about five minutes in the room reflecting on it and then I first phoned my dad. He spoke to me, I didn’t even go to my wife.”
“You know, normally they say go to your wife first, but I spoke to my dad and I mean, being a cricket fan for years and knowing what was going to come up, this is quite a special moment for me.”
“So yeah, I enjoyed it for about 5 to 7 minutes to myself and then obviously shared with the family that this is an opportunity and potentially that might happen. I’m just so delighted that we eventually got things over the line, and I’m here,” Morne Morkel said.
Indian team has been training for two days at the ICC academy in Dubai. They have opted for an off day on Tuesday and will train next on Wednesday ahead of the opener clash Bangladesh.
India has a good record against Bangladesh in the ODI contests. Placed in Group A matches, India will play their group stage matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in their group stage fixtures.
If India qualifies for the semi finals and finals of the tournament, the Men in Blues Knock out stage matches will be played in Dubai.
As per India’s Champions Trophy schedule, their first match will be against Bangladesh on February 20 at Dubai International Stadium.
