In a significant setback to India’s preparations for their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 opener against Australia, there are doubts about the availability of batsman Shubman Gill. According to PTI, Gill, who arrived in Chennai with the Indian team on Wednesday morning, has been confirmed to have contracted ‘Dengue’ and is currently receiving treatment.
The star player was absent from India’s training session on Thursday and will undergo medical tests today, supervised by the BCCI medical panel. A decision regarding Gill’s participation in the October 8th match at Chepauk will only be made after the test results are available.
Throughout this year, the 24-year-old has been in excellent form in One-Day cricket for India, accumulating 1,230 runs, including seven centuries. Although he experienced a dry spell after the successful Indian Premier League 2023, Gill regained his form during the Asia Cup 2023 and continued his impressive performance in three ODIs against Australia.
If Gill is ruled out, India will open with either Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul, where the Mumbai Indians player could get the nod over the Indian wicket keeper.
Rahul’s record in the middle-order of late has been stellar, and he has been in terrific form since his return from injury.
Rohit Sharma and Co. will head into the tournament opener against Australia without any game-time under their belt as both warm-ups against England and the Netherlands were called off due to rain.
