India's star opener Shubman Gill finally reached Ahmedabad on Wednesday's night right ahead of the ODI World Cup match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. The high-voltage drama between match between India is scheduled to be played at the iconic Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14.
Gill, who was diagnosed with dengue and was undergoing treatment in Chennai, missed the World Cup's initial two matches against Australia and Afghanistan due to a concerning low platelet count. However, with swift improvement in his health, Gill's recent shift to Ahmedabad raises speculations regarding his participation in the upcoming matches.
On Wednesday's night (October 11), when India were playing against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley stadium in New Delhi, Gill was spotted at the Ahmedabad airport amid tight security, wearing a mask on his face.
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Gill's eagerness to play
As the Indian team showcased its prowess against Afghanistan with a commanding eight-wicket victory, Gill marked his presence in Ahmedabad, indicating his keenness to get back to the field. After a brief stay at Kaurvery Hospital in Chennai for dengue treatment, he was deemed fit for travel.
Doctors' earlier apprehensions about him flying to Delhi were due to the low platelet count, making air travel risky.
The Indian cricket contingent is slated to gather in Ahmedabad by Thursday evening, setting the stage for the high-octane face-off against Pakistan. A short practice session is slated for Thursday, followed by a comprehensive warm-up on Friday. All eyes will be on this session as to how Gill performs which will pave his path for the remainder of the ODI World Cup matches.
Although Gill's eagerness is evident, the team management seems to be treading cautiously without rushing into things ensuring the star batter's complete recovery. If Gill somehow misses the India vs Pakistan clash, the dynamic duo of Ishan Kishan and the skipper Rohit Sharma will once again lead as the opening pair. India's current team combination, marked by victories against Australia and Afghanistan, might remain undisturbed. Yet, the option of introducing the seasoned bowler, Ravichandran Ashwin, is on the table.
What happened in India vs Afghanistan's tie?
Team India, under Rohit Sharma's stellar leadership, showcased a sensational show against Afghanistan on Wednesday, securing consecutive victories in the ODI World Cup. Rohit, not just breaking but shattering records, etched his name by scoring the quickest century by an Indian in the World Cup. This feat propelled him past the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record for maximum ODI World Cup centuries.
His aggressive stance right from the outset rattled the Afghanistan bowlers. With a commendable 94 runs in the initial 10 overs, India firmly placed itself in a dominant position. Rohit's fiery half-century in just 30 balls and century in just 63 balls set the tone of India's batting. Rohit, who ended up cracking a lightning 131, stitched a partnership of 156 runs with Ishan Kishan, who contributed a swift 47, cemented India's path to victory.
Their concerted efforts enabled India to comfortably chase the target of 273 runs, wrapping up the match with 15 overs to spare, marking an eight-wicket win.
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