Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour has said that opener Shubman Gill is recovering well from his illness and also confirmed that he was hospitalized in Chennai only as a precautionary measure. However, Media reports on Tuesday stated that Gill was hospitalized in Chennai after his platelet count dropped suddenly, but he has since been discharged. While he will miss India’s 2023 World Cup clash against Afghanistan in Delhi on Wednesday, he is also doubtful for the marquee clash against Pakistan in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
At a press conference ahead of India’s match against Afghanistan, Rathour said: “He is recovering well; he was hospitalized yes, but that was more as a precaution. He is back in the hotel [in Chennai]. He is looking good, being monitored by the medical team. Whatever update we get, we are hoping that he will recover pretty soon. As far as the team is concerned, everybody is fit. Hopefully, Gill will be back in the mix pretty soon.”
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In Shubman Gill’s absence, Ishan Kishan opened India’s innings against Australia in Chennai but he got out for a golden duck. While he was asked if there has been any specific discussion with him, Rathour replied in negative. However, Kishan (25) has played in 26 ODIs and has scored 886 at an average of 42.19 and a strike rate of 102.30 as well. He also opined on whether they have any plans to promote KL Rahul from No. 5 to No. 4 as well.
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“He has opened in the past and he has played as an opener. So, no specific discussions on that. That was one of the reasons he was in the team. We knew that he can bat top of the order or in the middle order. He’s done that before, so just hoping that he comes good tomorrow,” Vikram Rathour concluded. “No, not at the moment. He’s doing so well at No. 5. Shreyas [Iyer] has done really well for us at No. 4, so absolutely no temptations. The belief of the team management is that whoever is picked should get a proper opportunity. We need to back everyone. If there is a situation where we feel Surya should be brought in, he has been batting really well, then he will definitely play.”
