Shubman Gill is currently injured and may miss multiple days of action. As a result of being diagnosed with Dengue fever, the Indian opener may miss a couple of World Cup matches. The management of the Indian team has not yet initiated any replacement efforts.
According to sources within the squad, Gill began exhibiting symptoms of Dengue fever or infection while the team was in Guwahati (30 September, first warm-up game). He immediately informed the team medic, Rizwan Khan, and underwent testing upon the team’s arrival in Thiruvananthapuram, where the team was scheduled to play its second warm-up game on October 3 against the Netherlands.
Both warm-ups were rained out, but it was learned that the 24-year-old opening batsman was available for both contests.
When he was taken for additional testing in Chennai on Thursday evening, it was verified that he had Dengue fever. The severity of the fever is still being evaluated, but according to team sources, he is not experiencing excessive weakness or distress.
Additional tests may be conducted, particularly concentrating on his kidneys, as Dengue fever can affect this vital organ as well. Friday morning, a team representative issued the following statement to CricAdvisor: “He’s not feeling well, and the medical staff is attentively monitoring him. We are optimistic about his recovery.”
However, the team management does not want to jeopardize him on Sunday due to the upcoming lengthy competition. He will presumably be spared for India’s World Cup opener against Australia at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. He may even miss the October 11 match against Afghanistan in New Delhi.
India may go in with 3 spinners vs Australia
Understandably, the 24-year-old Gill was unable to participate in the Indian team’s practice sessions on Thursday. This has fueled speculation about who will partner with skipper Rohit Sharma as the opening batsman in the game against Australia. Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul are the top contenders, but it’s likely that the team management will prefer the left-handed batsman. Rahul will be asked to play in the middle order.
Meanwhile, it is further learned that India might go in with all three spinners in the squad – R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav — against Australia. The decision is based on the nature of the Chepauk strip, which is likely to assist spin. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the two pacers, with Hardik Pandya chipping in with some overs with his medium pace.
