New Delhi, Feb. 18 -- Team India, who are in Dubai preparing for the Champions Trophy, have suffered a major blow ahead of the marquee event. According to a report in Dainik Jagran, assistant coach Morne Morkel left the team in Dubai for South Africa on Monday following the death of his father.

Notably, the former South Africa pacer attended Team India's first training session but has not been seen in action since. The report suggests that there is no clarity on when Morkel will join Team India, which has caused a wave of anxiety and grief in the Indian team.

With Morkel gone, the burden on other members of the Indian coaching staff is set to increase. It's not yet clear whether Gautam Gambhir or skipper Rohit Sharma will ask BCCI for a...