“99 percent he is available” - Rohit Sharma shares crucial update on Shubman Gill ahead of 2023 World Cup match against Pakistan
India captain Rohit Sharma has stated that opener Shubman Gill has recovered from his illness and is '99 percent' likely to be available for the 2023 World Cup match against Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14.
Gill missed India’s opening two matches against Australia and Afghanistan reportedly due to dengue fever. He was even admitted to a hospital in Chennai as a precautionary measure.
The 24-year-old, though, seemed in much better health as he batted in the nets on Thursday, raising hopes of his availability for the big clash against Pakistan.
At a press conference on Friday, Rohit was asked for an update on Gill's fitness ahead of the match against Pakistan. He asserted:
"99 percent he (Gill) is available. We'll see tomorrow (Saturday) about that."
Gill has been in brilliant form for India in the ODI format this year. In fact, he is the leading getter in one-dayers in 2023. In 20 matches, the 24-year-old has scored 1230 runs at an average of 72.35 and a strike rate of 105.03, with five hundreds and five fifties.
In Gill’s absence, Ishan Kishan opened the innings in India’s first two 2023 World Cup matches. He fell without scoring against Australia but contributed a run-a-ball 47 against Afghanistan.
“If the requirement is there, we will play three spinners” - Rohit Sharma on team combination
India played three spinners against Australia in Chennai but picked Shardul Thakur ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin for the game versus Afghanistan in Delhi.
Asked if India would revert to the three-spinner theory against Pakistan, the India captain replied that it all depended on the nature of the pitch.
“I don’t know. I still haven’t looked at the pitch yet, but we are ready for whatever combination we want to play. That’s the challenge for us, going forward as a team. The guys have been informed very well in advance about changes. I don’t think there are going to be any issues with the players. If the requirement is there for us to play three spinners, we will play three spinners,” the 36-year-old stated.
Rohit was also unsure about the dew factor in Ahmedabad. Looking back at India's first two games in the World Cup, he commented:
“Honestly, I don't know how much of a factor it is going to be. In Delhi, we were expecting dew to come in; it didn’t come. In Chennai also, it was after probably 30 overs. So, you are done with 75 percent of the game by then."
“I don’t think it is going to play a massive factor. It is what team is the team is comfortable doing - whether it is chasing first, posting a total. We try and do that,” he concluded.
Rohit was the Player of the Match for his fantastic 131 off 84 balls in India’s eight-wicket triumph over Afghanistan.