There is no doubt in saying that Shubman Gill has been India’s best batter across all three formats, especially when it comes to ODI cricket. The numbers don’t lie as well.
In 2023, Shubman Gill has been a formidable force in the ODI format. He has been the most prolific batter for India, scoring 1230 runs and averaging 72.35 at a strike rate of 105.03. In 20 innings, he has scored five centuries and an equal number of half-centuries, including a double century against New Zealand in Hyderabad.
Gill ended up as the highest-run getter in the Asia Cup 2023 campaign as India emerged as champions in the end.
This is why the Indian opener has been a big miss for India in the first two matches of the World Cup. The 24-year-old has been grappling with health issues that have cast doubt on his participation in the upcoming World Cup match against Pakistan. Gill was diagnosed with dengue and had to be admitted to Chennai’s Kaveri hospital due to a drop in his platelet count. Despite being discharged from the hospital, his recovery is still ongoing, and it remains uncertain whether he will be fit to play in the crucial match.
Gill’s presence was missed in the first game, as Ishan Kishan failed to impress and the Indian team quickly found themselves two for three. So what if, the 24-year-old does overcome his health issues and be ready for the clash against Pakistan?
Cricket World Cup 2023: Full Coverage
Continue his fine run against Pakistan on the big stage
Now, not so long ago, a young Gill would make the U-19 World Cup stage his own against a Pakistan side that had a Shaheen Shah Afridi. During the Asia Cup, after a slight hiccup in the first game, the 24-year-old would get back to form and hit a fine half century in the Super 4s stage.
And if he is fit in time, Gill would be playing at his IPL home and one of his favourite grounds in India. The 24-year-old scored his maiden T20I hundred against New Zealand at the ground and his record in the IPL.
In 12 matches in the IPL, Gill has scored 669 runs at the Narendra Modi stadium at an average of 66.90 and a strike-rate of 159.29. This would be his first ODI at the ground and seems like the perfect stage for him to continue his form at the ground.
To gain the lead in the ICC Rankings toppling Babar Azam
Gill is hot on the heels of top-ranked Babar Azam, who hasn’t had the best of starts to the World Cup 2023 campaign. The Pakistan skipper has 835 rating points, only 5 more than the young India opener and the match against Pakistan would be the perfect stage for Gill to break the monopoly of Babar at the top of the ICC Rankings.
India may look to bat second if they win the toss
The toss has been vital in most of the matches during the World Cup this year, but India could opt to field first in a bid to preserve their young star batter. The Indian team management could take this risk, irrespective of the conditions, to ensure Gill does get a fair crack with the bat and continue his recovery from dengue.
