Concerns Mount as Shubman Gill Retires Hurt After Stellar 79 Off 65 in IND vs NZ Semi-Final

Mumbai: In a scintillating display at the Wankhede stadium, India’s opener Shubman Gill showcased sublime form in the ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. Gill, who was batting at 79* off 65 balls, unfortunately, had to retire hurt due to excessive heat. The speculation is that he might return to bat if the situation allows.

However, Gill can resume his innings, according to the ICC World Cup 2023 Playing Conditions. It says, “A batter may retire at any time during his innings when the ball is dead. The umpires, before allowing play to proceed, shall be informed of the reason for a batter retiring. If a batter retires because of illness, injury or any other unavoidable cause, that batter is entitled to resume his innings. If for any reason this does not happen, that batter is to be recorded as ‘Retired – not out’.”

Gill’s partnership with captain Rohit Sharma provided India with a solid start, with Rohit adopting an ultra-aggressive approach. Winning a crucial toss, Rohit’s power-packed game included four sixes and as many boundaries, contributing 47 runs off just 29 balls. Although an aggressive shot led to Rohit’s dismissal, the momentum set the stage for Gill to shine.

Taking over the reins, Gill went on to score an impressive 52* off 44 balls, completing a polished half-century. The early boundaries by Rohit, including a magnificent six over extra cover, set the tone for India’s innings. Gill, too, displayed his prowess with a variety of shots, notably a short arm pull off Lockie Ferguson.

The innings showcased India’s unwavering determination to seize control of the World Cup semi-final. With Gill’s departure, Shreyas Iyer stepped up seamlessly, ensuring that India’s momentum remained unchecked. At the 30-over mark, India stood tall at 214 for 1, a testament to the aggressive yet calculated approach adopted by their openers.