After missing India’s opening match of the 2023 World Cup against Australia due to a bout of dengue fever, Shubhman Gill, India’s opening batsman, is now poised to sit out the second match of the tournament against Afghanistan, slated for Wednesday, October 11.
The BCCI confirmed that Gill would not travel with the team to Delhi and “will stay back in Chennai and be under the supervision of the medical team.”
Ishan Kishan, the backup wicket-keeper-batsman, took on the role of opening the innings in Gill’s absence against Australia. Unfortunately, his innings was brief as he was dismissed for a golden duck, falling prey to Mitchell Starc’s out-swinging delivery and caught by Cameron Green at first slip.
It is expected that Kishan will continue to open the batting in the upcoming match against Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Gill’s absence was deeply felt in India’s opening game, given his exceptional form in the Asia Cup leading up to the World Cup.
There also remains uncertainty regarding Gill’s availability for the highly-anticipated clash against Pakistan on October 14 in Ahmedabad.
India is set to play Afghanistan tomorrow at the Arun Jaitley stadium in Delhi.
India’s 2023 World Cup Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav
(Inputs from ANI)