(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Team India has received a major setback in the form of star opening batter Shubman Gill, who is likely to miss the first match of the side’s campaign in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
According to reports, Shubman has been sidelined due to dengue and also missed the team’s practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul are the two options to replace him, but most probably, the former will open the innings alongside captain Rohit Sharma.
Notably, Shubman was also given rest by the team management for the third and final ODI match against Australia, played in Rajkot on September 27.
It is also likely that Shubman will miss the second game against Afghanistan on October 11th in Delhi, however, the team management will desperately need him for the third match against Pakistan, scheduled in October 14th at his happy hunting ground, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The 24-year-old Gill made his ODI debut for India in 2019 and has since shown glimpses of his potential to dominate world cricket in the coming decade. Gill has been the top scorer for India in 2023, amassing 1230 runs in 20 ODI matches with an average of 72.35, which includes five ODI centuries and as many fifty-plus scores.
Overall, he has the experience of playing 35 ODIs in which the Punjab-born has scored 1917 runs with an average of 66.1.