Morkel rejoins India squad as bowling coach; Kohli spends additional time with spinners

A file picture of Morne Morkel
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Pictures

The Indian cricket staff had a strenuous coaching session Dubai on Wednesday (February 26, 2025) with talismanic batter Virat Kohli spending plenty of time going through spinners at the same time as bowling coach Morne Morkel rejoined the facet after attending to a private emergency again dwelling.

Virat not solely confronted the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja throughout the coaching session but in addition spent greater than half an hour plying the online bowlers forward of the conflict towards New Zealand on Sunday (February 22, 2025).

Tempo bowling stalwart Mohammed Shami too was seen bowling at full tilt, swinging the ball each methods and rapping Kohli twice on his pads, whereas Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh too seemed decided to present their greatest throughout the session.

Beneath the watchful eyes of Morkel, all bowlers seemed sharp and geared as much as take up the New Zealand problem.

Morkel needed to go away the Indian camp a few days earlier than the staff’s Champions Trophy opener towards Bangladesh on February 20.

The previous South Africa pacer was seen having an extended chat with head coach Gautam Gambhir because the gamers did their warm-up drills on the ICC Academy right here.

Shubman Gill, who has been India’s stand out batter within the event, was the one one who didn’t flip up for apply.

The BCCI media supervisor stated there was no have to get fearful about Gill.

Rishabh Pant has recovered from an sickness and skilled on Wednesday (February 26, 2025) with the remainder of the squad.

India loved a few days off after outplaying Pakistan of their second group sport. They’ve already reached the semifinals from Group A alongside New Zealand.

Each groups will face one another of their final group match right here on March 2.

India, who final received the Champions Trophy in 2013, are favourites to raise the title contemplating their spin-heavy squad mixture and the way in which they’ve performed to date within the event.

India play all their video games in Dubai the place the pitch has been gradual and aided the spinners thus far.

Contemplating the hybrid mannequin of the event, India are the one facet which is taking part in at one venue and that has been questioned by the likes of former England skipper Michael Atherton, who sees it as an simple benefit to Rohit Sharma and Co.

Whereas the event hosts are Pakistan, India may also play the ultimate in Dubai in the event that they qualify.