All eyes will be on Shubman Gill for the IND vs PAK World Cup clash as he battles to recover in time from the dengue. Already, the 24-year-old was ruled out of playing two games for India against Australia and Afghanistan. Ishan Kishan replaced his best friend Gill and also opened the innings along with Rohit Sharma. However, with Gill hitting the nets yesterday, it seems the right-hand batter will pip Kishan for the match against Pakistan.
Although nothing is confirmed yet about Gill playing against Pakistan, batting coach Vikarm Rathore is optimistic about Gill recovering in time to play his first WC game.
“He’s (Gill) recovering well. Yes, he was hospitalized, but it was more though as a precaution. He’s back in the hotel in Chennai and is recovering well. So, he’s being monitored by the medical team. We are hoping that he will recover soon and would be looking good,” India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour had said before the Afghanistan game.
Currently, Gill is racing against time to play against Pakistan. While in his absence Kishan managed to score 46 against Afghanistan, India would be desperate to have their ICC World number 2 batter against Pakistan. Gill is the highest run-scorer in ODIs this year. He perfectly compliments Rohit Sharma at the top.
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Yuvraj Singh backs Shubman Gill to play against Pakistan
While Gill must have found millions of inspiration to stage a comeback from dengue, the biggest one he received today was from his mentor Yuvraj Singh. The southpaw who battled cancer and defied all odds to win the World Cup for India has asked Gill to be ready to play against Pakistan.
“Shubham Gill ko maine tagda kar diya hai [I have strengthened Shubham Gill]. I told him that I had played in the World Cup while battling cancer, so I got ready quickly to join the team. Hopefully, he will be ready for the India vs Pakistan game.
When you have a fever and dengue, it is really tough to play a cricket match, and I have experienced that. So I hope that if he is fit, then he will definitely play,” the 41-year-old said to ANI.
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