• Source:JND
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The Indian team will kick off their ODI World Cup 2023 campaign against the five-time champions Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

The Men in Blue are going through a concern over the availability of star opener Shubman Gill who could be missing at least the first match due to illness as per the speculations.

However, captain Rohit Sharma said the team is going to give Gill every chance to recover ahead of the all-important match against the Aussies, adding that the right-hander is not yet ruled out of the contest.

 

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Gill hadn't attended India's practice session at the stadium ever since the side touched down in Chennai and it emerged on Friday that the right-handed batter is under the weather possibly due to high fever.

"Everybody is fit, but Gill is not a hundred percent. He's sick, but there is no injury concern. He's not feeling well, we are monitoring him on a daily basis. We are going to give him every chance to recover and see how he feels as he's not ruled out," said Rohit in the pre-match press conference.

Gill has been a key batter for India at the top and is going through a stunning form lately, currently leading the run-scoring chart in ODIs this year by amassing 1230 runs in 20 games at an average of 72.35 and strike rate of 105.03.

"I feel for him, and in terms of being a human first, I want him to get well. Not thinking as the captain that I want Gill to play; I want him to get well as no one likes being sick. But I want him to get well. He's a young guy, got a fit body and he will recover quickly," added Rohit.

In case Gill is ruled out of Sunday's match against Australia, then Ishan Kishan is the likely option that emerges as a contender to open the innings with captain Rohit Sharma.

Meanwhile, the wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul can also be an option for the same but the team management might not look for that considering Rahul's cemented place in the middle order with the stunning run of form lately.

India head coach Rahul Dravid had said in a press conference on Friday that the medical team will take a call over Gill's participation on match day, while also hinting at a decision being taken at the last minute.

 

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India is eyeing to claim a third Men's ODI World Cup title after clinching the trophy in 1983 and 2011. The 13th edition of the tournament sees India being the sole hosts of this event for the first time ever, having co-hosted the tournament in 1987, 1996, and 2011.

"The mood is pretty good as it is before the start of every big tournament. We have come into this tournament prepared really well. So, quite confident about us skill-wise and are looking forward to the game," concluded Rohit.