Shubman Gill has been recovering steadily after contracting dengue just a couple of days before their World Cup opener against Australia.
He missed India's World Cup opener against Australia and had to sit out the match against Afghanistan as well.
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Gill was admitted to the Kaveri Hospital in Chennai under medical supervision, and BCCI's own physician, Dr. Rizwan Khan, was attending to him.
However, he had flown to Ahmedabad a couple of days back and went for a net session on Thursday morning. He looked fit and crisp as he entered in his practice gear at around 11:30 in the morning along with physio Kamlesh and throwdown specialist Nuwan Seneviratne.
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He spent close to an hour batting under the sun and looked at ease, which has raised hopes that he might be available for the India vs Pakistan game. Former India chairman of selectors MSK Prasad revealed that he will "definitely play" against Pakistan and could have even played against Afghanistan but was rested as a precaution before the marquee clash.
What did MSK Prasad say about Shubman Gill's availability against Pakistan?
"I think we can put an end to all kinds of speculations. Shubman Gill will definitely play this game (vs Pakistan). He's too good a player to miss out.
"He had just a fever. He has recovered. It was not threatening at all that we would even think about replacements. It's all rumours that are coming out (about the seriousness of the illness) in whatever form that you are hearing," he told hindustantimes.com.
"What we heard was that as a matter of precaution, he couldn't play the second game otherwise he was fine. He stayed back for one more day in Chennai as a precaution. He recovered well and was discharged. See if someone is playing for 1 bour that means he has recovered. This is an all-important game against Pakistan. If he is fit, which I'm sure he is, then he should be in India's playing XI," he added.
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However, an official word is still pending on his participation against Pakistan.
India promoted Ishan Kishan to open with Rohit Sharma, but he was out for a first-ball duck against Australia.
Gill's absence is significant as he has been in excellent form, with 1230 runs scored this year at an average of 72.35. Moreover, his familiarity with Ahmedabad, where he enjoys batting and is his IPL home ground for the Gujarat Titans, adds to India's concerns.
What is Shubhman Gill's record at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad?
Gill boasts of an incredible record at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
In 9 matches, he has scored a total of 572 runs with a highest score of 128. This includes three fifties and two centuries, highlighting his ability to convert good starts into substantial innings.
One remarkable aspect of Gill's batting is his strike rate in Ahmedabad, which stands at an impressive 172.80. He has been particularly aggressive in this venue, hitting 52 fours and 23 sixes, showcasing his ability to find boundaries regularly.
While Gill hasn't played an ODI at this venue yet, he has already achieved centuries in other formats. In T20Is, he scored an unbeaten 126 against New Zealand, displaying his adaptability in the shortest format of the game. Additionally, in Test cricket, he scored a century (128) against Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier in the year.
Who will win the Cricket World Cup 2023?
The Cricket World Cup 2023 promises to be a hotly contested event, with India, England, Pakistan and Australia among the favourites according to the Sportsbooks.
