• By Manik Sharma
  • Fri, 06 Oct 2023 07:39 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

India's star opener Shubman Gill faces uncertainty over his availability for the World Cup opener against Australia due to illness. His participation in the crucial match is pending his recovery, reportedly from dengue.

Gill, who has been in exceptional form in one-day internationals this year, accumulating 1,230 runs at an impressive average of 72.35, is under close observation as India prepares to kick off their campaign in Chennai.

Head coach Rahul Dravid provided an update on Gill's health, stating the Indian opener is feeling better, but his selection in the starting 11 is subject to match fitness.

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"He’s certainly feeling better today. The medical team is monitoring on a daily basis. We have 36 hours; we’ll see what decision they take,” ICC quoted Dravid as saying.

While Dravid did not confirm Gill's availability for the Australia game, he did not rule out the possibility either.

“Medical team hasn’t ruled him out as yet. We’ll keep monitoring him on a day-to-day basis. We’ll see how he feels day after tomorrow,” he mentioned.

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Earlier, Espncricinfo in a report said that Gill has been ruled out of India's opening match due to a positive test for dengue. The report said Gill was absent from India's training sessions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday. The team management initially hoped it was merely a case of flu, but subsequent tests confirmed the dengue diagnosis.

Gill has been a standout performer for India in the fifty-over format this year. He is not only the highest run-scorer for the side but also emerged as the top run-getter in the recent Asia Cup, amassing 302 runs in six innings, including a century and two fifties.

In the event that Gill remains unavailable for the clash on Sunday, Ishan Kishan could potentially be promoted to the top-order, partnering with Rohit Sharma at the opening.


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