India captain Rohit Sharma, in a pre-match press conference, confirmed that young opener Shubman Gill was 99 percent available for the big-ticket World Cup 2023 clash against Pakistan on October 14.
Gill could be on the cusp of making his ODI World Cup debut for India, having recovered from dengue. Gill was diagnosed with dengue fever, which caused him to miss India’s first two World Cup matches, which they won against Australia and Afghanistan. Ishan Kishan took his place alongside captain Rohit Sharma as India’s second opening batter.
Gill did not travel to Delhi with the India squad for Tuesday’s match against Afghanistan. He did, however, fly directly to Ahmedabad to meet up with his teammates.
Gill was expected to attend another full-fledged practise session with the rest of the Indian cricketers, after which the team management is expected to make a decision on Gill’s inclusion in the team, which will be his first match in World Cup 2023.
Gill could become the fastest batter to score 2000 runs in ODI cricket if he continues his brilliant form in the 2023 World Cup. The right-handed batter has scored 1917 runs in 35 innings, and is eyeing South African great Hashim Amla’s record for the fastest to 2000 runs in ODIs (40 innings).
While the 24-year-old has fared well wherever he’s played, he has looked particularly comfortable in home conditions, scoring 882 runs in 14 innings in India, at an average of 67.84. He will also be looking forward to playing at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the home ground of his IPL side Gujarat Titans.
