• Source:JND
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The Indian team is on the verge of suffering a massive blow ahead of their opening clash of the ODI World Cup 2023 against Australia on Sunday, October 8.

The star and in-form opening batter Shubman Gill is suspected to be suffering from dengue and is doubtful for the opening game in Chennai.

Ishan Kishan is likely to open the Indian innings with the skipper Rohit Sharma in case Gill fails to make it.

However, BCCI is yet to confirm the nature of the illness but head coach Rahul Dravid did not want to give up on the situation with less than 24 hours left in the contest.

 

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"He is feeling better today. The medical team is monitoring him, and he is doing better," Dravid said during a press conference on Friday.

Dravid didn't disclose much and played it safe.

"He is not technically out for the first game. The medical team is monitoring him and (we) will take the decision after tomorrow," he said.

However, the situation might just not be bright after all.

"Gill is not well and he is in no position to play at least the first two games (of the WC)," a BCCI was quoted as saying by PTI.

Earlier, the BCCI had said they were waiting for updates on Gill.

"He's under the weather, the medical team is closely monitoring him. We are hoping he gets better soon. We will have to wait on more updates from the medical team," the medical update from BCCI stated.

Gill, India's most prolific batter in ODIs in recent times, is reportedly down with a high fever and will be tested for dengue before a final call is taken on his availability.

"Shubman has had a high fever since landing in Chennai. His tests are being done, and a call will be taken on his participation in the opening game," the BCCI source said.

It is yet to confirm in the tests that Gill is suffering from Dengue but if it is so then he could be missing a couple of matches in the World Cup, giving India a massive setback.

It has to be noted that the recovery from an illness of Degue normally takes more than a week for a player to be match fit.

 

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While Gill could be a non-starter against Australia, there is a high chance that he won't play against Afghanistan (Oct 11) and Pakistan (Oct 14) in case the recovery takes more time.

"Let's not jump the gun. If it's normal viral fever, he could play on antibiotics but it's completely the medical team's call," the source said.

Gill, who has scored 1,200 runs this season, has forged a successful opening stand with skipper Rohit Sharma of late.