Huge blow to India ahead of Champions Trophy, veteran leaves Dubai camp to return home due to tragedy

Morkel missed team's practice session on February 17. It is not clear whether Morkel will return to join Team India during the tournament or not. 

In the practice session, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant looked uncomfortable after getting struck in the knee by a delivery from Hardik Pandya. The team's physio rushed to Pant's aide as he lay on the ground. Later, he was seen hobbling off the field. Pant did not play a single ODI in the series against England at home. KL Rahul is India's first choice wicketkeeper-batter. 

India are set to face Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side on February 20 in their first groups tage clash at Dubai Cricket International Stadium. India's second Group A match is against co-hosts Pakistan on February 23. After that, there's a long break before India go up against Mitchell Santner's New Zealand on March 2. 

India's pace-bowling attack

There are three speciallist pacers in the side. After Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out due to lower back injury, a young Harshit Rana was give a chance to play his maiden white-ball ICC event. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has returned after injury whereas Arshdeep Singh has found a place in the side as well. The other fast-bowling option is all-rounder Hardik Pandya. 

Spin-heavy in Dubai

India have gone with a spin-heavy squad in Dubai conditions. After naming, spin-bowling all-rounders Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and speciallist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, the selectors replaced young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal with in-form mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.