In a big boost for Team India ahead of their blockbuster clash against Pakistan in Ahmedabad, captain Rohit Sharma has suggested that Shubman Gill is fit enough to play against the Men in Green in Ahmedabad on Saturday - October 14. On the eve of the India vs Pakistan game, the Indian captain stated that Shubman Gill is "99% available" for the big contest.
Gill has missed the first two World Cup encounters against Australia and Afghanistan due to dengue. But having recovered from the bout of fever and with his platelet count back to normal, the Indian opener, who didn't travel with the team to Delhi for their second game, arrived in Ahmedabad a day earlier than the rest of the squad.
Gill had his own training session on Thursday, which was the travel day for the Men in Blue. In fact, Team India had also released throwdown specialist Nuwan Seneviratne a day earlier, so that he could help Gill train before the team arrived in Ahmedabad.
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Ishan Kishan has been opening for India in the last two games. While the wicketkeeper-batter got out for a duck against the Aussies in the first game, he scored 47 against Afghanistan in Delhi.
Gill's return will be a shot in the arm for Team India, considering he has been their best batter this year. He is the world's leading run-scorer in ODIs this year with 1230 runs, averaging 72+ with a strike rate in excess of 105. He is also only 5 rankings points behind Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who is currently No. 1 in the ODI rankings for batters.
If Gill is fit, it remains to be seen who India leave out in his place, but one of Ishan Kishan or Shreyas Iyer will have to make way for the opener.