IND vs PAK: Shubman Gill Is 99% Available - Rohit Sharma Ahead Of Indo-Pak Clash

Team India captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed that Shubman Gill is still not out of the upcoming India vs Pakistan game. The much-awaited match is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the young opener’s IPL home ground.

He has already missed India’s first two games of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 due to dengue and was doubtful for the game against Pakistan too after being hospitalized. Shubman Gill was diagnosed with dengue last week before India’s World Cup opener against Australia in Chennai.

As per reports, his platelet count fell and the BCCI medical team decided to admit him to the hospital. Later, India batting coach Vikram Rathour confirmed that it was just a precautionary measure. The Punjab star was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday before traveling to Ahmedabad from Chennai on Thursday (October 12).

Shubman Gill still in contention:

While Shubman Gill’s participation in the game against Pakistan looked highly unlikely, captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed that the opener is still in contention. Speaking on the eve of the mega clash, the India skipper stated that his opening partner is 99 percent available for the game. Rohit also stated that a final call on the opener will be taken just before the game.

“Shubman Gill is 99% available, we will see tomorrow,” Rohit Sharma told the media.

Rohit Sharma on Shubman Gill for the Pakistan game:

“99 percent he’s available to play” pic.twitter.com/7XbuKcUZjm

— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) October 13, 2023

In Shubman Gill’s absence, Ishan Kishan opened the innings with Rohit Sharma but has failed to impress so far. In the first game, he was out for a duck against Australia while trying to play a wild shot in the very first over. In the second game against Afghanistan, he scored 47.

The Indian team management will definitely be hoping that Gill plays against Pakistan. The youngster has been in stunning form in ODIs this year. He is the leading run-scorer in the format in 2023, scoring 1230 runs in 20 games with the help of 5 centuries and as many half-centuries. He is also the only batsman to reach the 1000 mark in ODIs this year.

Gill’s record in Ahmedabad would also tempt the team management to include him in the playing eleven. In IPL 2023, the right-handed batsman had scored 572 runs in 9 games at an average of over 71 and a strike rate of 173. He also scored a T20I and a Test century at the venue earlier this year.