World Cup 2023: Shubman Gill Down With Suspected Dengue, Could Miss Multiple Games

Chennai: As India prepares for its opening World Cup match against Australia, concerns have arisen over the health of in-form opener Shubman Gill, who is suspected to have contracted dengue. Gill’s participation in Sunday’s game is now in doubt, with Ishan Kishan being considered as a possible replacement.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially confirmed the nature of Gill’s illness but has acknowledged that he is unwell. The medical team is closely monitoring his condition, and further updates are expected. Gill has been suffering from high fever since arriving in Chennai and is set to undergo tests for dengue on Friday.

The recovery period for dengue can vary, typically taking 7-10 days for a player to return to match fitness. However, if there is a significant drop in platelet count, the recovery process may be prolonged. This uncertainty raises concerns that Gill may not only miss the game against Australia but also subsequent matches against Afghanistan on October 11 and Pakistan on October 14 if his recovery takes longer.

It’s important to note that the final decision on Gill’s participation rests with the medical team. If his condition turns out to be a normal viral fever, he might be able to play with the aid of antibiotics.

Gill, who has been in excellent form with 1,200 runs this season, has been a crucial part of India’s opening partnership with captain Rohit Sharma. His absence for an extended period would indeed be a significant setback for the Indian team as they embark on their World Cup campaign.