As the highly anticipated clash between India and Australia in the ICC Cricket ODI World Cup 2023 approaches on October 8 at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, the cricketing world was abuzz with concerns about Shubman Gill‘s health. Earlier reports had suggested that the young opener had contracted dengue and was battling a high fever, casting doubts over his participation in the opening match.
These reports sent waves of worry among Indian cricket fans, and rightly so. Gill has been a standout performer in ODI cricket this year, accumulating an impressive 1,230 runs from 20 games, boasting an average of 72.35. His exceptional form had marked him as a crucial asset for the Indian team in the World Cup.
Rahul Dravid opens up on Shubman Gill’s health
However, to the relief of fans, India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, stepped in with a significant update on Gill’s health. Dravid revealed that Gill’s condition has improved, and he is not yet ruled out of the clash against Australia. The 50-year-old also emphasized the pivotal role of the support staff within the team setup. He highlighted that the primary responsibility of the coaching staff is to provide unwavering support to the players and align themselves with the captain’s vision.
“He’s feeling better today and the medical team is monitoring him on a day-to-day basis. We will take a call on him later. The medical team hasn’t ruled him out yet. We’ll see how he feels the day after tomorrow,” Dravid was quoted as saying by the ICC.
“The job of the support staff, and coach is to support the players and captain. And that’s what I am going to do in the next couple of months. Once the players cross the boundary line, it’s all on them. Our job is mainly in the lead-up to the tournament. We are here to support the vision of the captain,” the Indore-born cricketer concluded.
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Gill’s performance and impact
The 24-year-old displayed his prowess in India‘s recent three-match ODI series against Australia, where he contributed significantly with superb innings of 74 and 104 in the first two fixtures.
With the uncertainty surrounding Gill’s participation in the World Cup opener gradually dissipating, the young opener’s form could prove to be a determining factor in India’s journey in the tournament. His availability or absence may hold the key to the team’s fate in this prestigious event.
