INDIA: Team India’s opening batsman, Shubman Gill, has found himself in a challenging battle off the cricket pitch as he battles dengue fever. The 23-year-old cricketer was hospitalized in Chennai this week after his platelet count dropped significantly, casting doubt on his availability for the high-stakes clash between India and Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Gill, ranked as the world’s No. 2 ODI batter, fell ill shortly after the Indian cricket team arrived in Chennai ahead of their World Cup match against Australia last Sunday. According to the sources, Gill’s platelet count had been a cause for concern for some time, preventing him from accompanying the team to New Delhi, where they were scheduled to face Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.
Medical experts advised against flying with a low platelet count, which led to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirming Gill’s unavailability for the Delhi game in a statement issued on Monday.
The source added that the Indian opener was admitted to Kaveri Hospital on Monday morning and is currently under the care of medical specialists at the facility. Dr. Rizwan Khan, the BCCI doctor accompanying the team, is also attending to the young opener, who missed India’s first World Cup game against Australia on Sunday.
Since his admission to Kaveri Hospital on October 9, only a limited number of team members have been allowed to visit Gill. Physicians from the hospital have been conducting blood tests and monitoring his platelet count at the team hotel.
The cricketing world is now anxiously waiting to hear about Gill’s potential participation in the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash scheduled for Saturday in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Gill’s absence was notably felt during the team’s match against Australia, and there is optimism within the team management that he might recover in time to face their arch-rivals, particularly considering his impressive performances at the same venue during his stint with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Inside sources suggest that Gill could be discharged to return to the team hotel if his health condition improves. He could fly directly to Ahmedabad to rejoin the squad if his health is favourable.
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