Rahul Dravid provides update on Shubman Gill ahead of India's first match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Rahul Dravid informed the media that Shubman Gill is certainly feeling better.

India will be playing their opening ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Australia on 8th October in Chennai. Before India’s first game on Sunday, Team India had bad news from their camp in terms of fitness. It was reported that Indian opening batter Shubman Gill could miss India’s first two games against Australia and Afghanistan as he reportedly tested positive for dengue. India will be playing in Chennai on Sunday and then they will travel to Delhi for Wednesday's game. 

In recent developments, Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has informed the media in a press conference that Shubman Gill is still not ruled out of the opening game as his fever is down and feeling better from the previous 2-3 days. Gill has been suffering from a fever since he landed in Chennai and didn’t take part in India practice sessions on Thursday and Friday. Management suspected viral fever and Gill had to go through multiple tests. 

Dravid updates about Shubman Gill

Indian coach Rahul Dravid also informed that the medical team is currently having a close look at Shubman Gill. Dravid said, “Shubman Gill is certainly feeling better, feeling better today, the medical team is monitoring. We will keep monitoring him on a day-to-day basis and the Medical team has not ruled him out. There are 36 hours to go and we will wait till the last moment.” Dravid didn’t clarify whether it was just a viral fever or dengue fever. 

Earlier a BCCI source informed the media on anonymity, “Shubman has had a high fever since landing in Chennai. His tests are being done. He will have more tests done on Friday and a call will be taken on his participation in the opening game.” Gill is India’s prolific run-scorer in ODIs this year and scored 5 centuries and 5 half-centuries in 20 ODI innings. Gill also smashed a double century against New Zealand in the Hyderabad ODI earlier this year. 

In case Shubman Gill is ruled out of the opening game, Ishan Kishan will be slated in as an opener to accompany captain Rohit Sharma at the top and KL Rahul will keep his middle order place with the wicket-keeping role. Team India will also play with Shreyas Iyer as the number 4 batter. Kishan has done well as an opener in the 50-overs format and has smashed 4 consecutive half-centuries in the last two months. Management and Indian fans will be wishing for Gill’s quick recovery.