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Shubman Gill has not been ruled out of India’s opening game of the 2023 ICC World Cup against Australia despite having not recovered from a fever yet, said Rohit Sharma on Saturday.
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Speaking to reporters in Chennai on the eve of the India-Australia contest, the India skipper added he was confident Gill would recover in time to walk out to open alongside him in Sunday’s high-profile clash.
“Mood in the camp is very good. As it is going to be before start of every tournament. Quite confident skill wise. Looking forward to the game. Gill is not feeling well, giving him every chance to see how he feels. Not ruled out yet.
“Shubman Gill is sick, I feel for him. I want him to be well. As a human being first, not as captain. He is a young boy, has fit body and he will recover,” Rohit said in the press conference on the eve of the match.
Gill’s participation was thrown into doubt after he tested positive for dengue in the build-up to India’s opening game of the showpiece event.
Read | India nets session report ahead of Australia World Cup encounter
Gill has been India’s most prolific batter this year, scoring 1,764 runs at an average of 51.88 in ODIs including a double-century in Hyderabad against New Zealand, and was also the leading run-scorer in the recently-concluded Asia Cup.
India, meanwhile, enter the high-profile contest on Sunday at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium hoping to improve their record against the five-time world champions. India and Australia have faced each other 12 times in World Cups since their first meeting in 1983, with the Aussies leading 8-4 in head to head record.
When asked about the team’s as well as his personal approach for tomorrow’s high-pressure encounter will be, Rohit said it was about “keeping it simple”.
“Yes, it’s a world cup but we want to focus on every opposition and game. Whats coming up tomorrow and keeping it simple. For me as a batter, i want to focus on wjat I can do best for the team. I will try and do everything required for the team,” added the ‘Hitman’.
The match will also be Rohit’s first as captain in an ICC World Cup game. He had previously led India to the semi-finals of last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
“World Cup is biggest event I will be part of. Always a dream to be part of WC team, it’s a big deal to be captain,” added Rohit.
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