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The cricketing world was abuzz with excitement as India started their ODI World Cup 2023 campaign against Australia at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday (October 8). However, the absence of star batter Shubman Gill from India’s playing XI left fans surprised and curious.
Shubman Gill’s unfortunate omission
Gill’s omission from the line-up was a topic of concern for fans and cricket enthusiasts alike, as the talented young cricketer had been expected to play a crucial role in India’s World Cup campaign. However, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma addressed these concerns during the toss and shed light on Gill’s unexpected exclusion.
Rohit explained that the team had been eagerly waiting for Gill’s recovery until the morning of the match, but since the Punjab-born cricketer couldn’t completely recover from fever, it forced the management to make the difficult decision of not including him in the playing XI.
“Unfortunately, he (Shubman Gill) didn’t recover in time. We waited until today morning, and he couldn’t recover,” said Rohit.
It is worth mentioning that there are many reports which suggest that Gill is battling Dengue fever.
Also READ: Did Sara Tendulkar wish a speedy recovery to Shubman Gill? Here’s the truth behind viral going tweet
Ishan Kishan steps up to replace Gill
With Gill ruled out of the game, the responsibility of opening the batting for India fell on the shoulders of Ishan Kishan. The same was confirmed by Rohit as he further said, “Ishan comes in to replace him (Shubman Gill), and he will open the batting.”
Known for his explosive batting style and versatility, Ishan is a capable replacement, and fans expect him to take on the challenge and contribute to the team’s success in this crucial match against Aussies.
India’s new bowling combination
In addition to Gill’s absence, another significant change in India’s line-up was the inclusion of three spinners in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja. This strategic move saw Mohammed Shami sitting out, allowing India to strengthen their spin attack. The team’s choice reflected the conditions at MA Chidambaram Stadium, where spinners traditionally play a vital role.
