NEW DELHI: In a significant setback for the Indian cricket team, it appears that they may have to begin their World Cup campaign without their star batsman, Shubman Gill, in their opening match against Australia in Chennai. Gill, who has been in remarkable form, missed the team's practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium due to his ongoing treatment for dengue. The Indian team management is closely monitoring Gill's recovery, with a final decision on his availability expected after further tests on Friday.
Should Gill fail to regain fitness in time for the high-stakes clash against Australia, the Indian team faces a crucial decision: whether to replace him with Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul as the opening partner for captain Rohit Sharma.
Gill's absence would be a significant blow to the team, given his recent outstanding performances. He showcased his talent by scoring a magnificent double century against New Zealand earlier in the year. Apart from a minor slump during the West Indies tour, he displayed remarkable consistency with the bat. Gill was the leading run-scorer in the Indian Premier League, accumulating 890 runs, and continued his excellent form by topping the batting charts in the recent Asia Cup with 302 runs. His recent innings have been nothing short of spectacular, with scores of 104, 74, 27*, 121, 19, 58, and 67*.
In the lead-up to the World Cup, the Indian team has faced a fair share of uncertainties as several top players returned after injuries. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer made comebacks following extended layoffs. Even during the Asia Cup, spinner Axar Patel sustained an injury, resulting in his replacement in the World Cup squad by Ravichandran Ashwin.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the outcome of Gill's health assessment, India's team management faces a challenging decision regarding who will step in if he is unable to play. With the tournament's prestige at stake, the choice between Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul will be critical, and it could significantly impact India's prospects in this World Cup edition.
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