Shubman Gill in India vs Pakistan Cricket World Cup match: Former chief selector of India men's senior cricket team, MSK Prasad is confident that star opener Shubman Gill will definitely play the ICC Cricket World Cup match between India and Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday (October 14). As of now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not provided any official update on Shubman Gill's health. However, there have been reports that the 24-year-old batted for one hour in the nets in Ahmedabad, and he is being closely monitored by the BCCI's medical support staff. The Indian team management may be assessing his readiness to return to action.
"I think we can put an end to all kinds of speculations. Shubman Gill will definitely play this game (vs Pakistan). He’s too good a player to miss out. He had just a fever. He has recovered. It was not threatening at all that we would even think about replacements. It’s all rumours that are coming out (about the seriousness of the illness) in whatever form that you are hearing," MSK Prasad told hindustantimes.com.
Shubman Gill has an impressive record at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. Gill is well-acquainted with the pitch conditions in Ahmedabad as he averages 93 at the venue and so far has scored two centuries in both T20Is and Tests here. His jaw-dropping stats in Ahmedabad certainly makes a strong case for his inclusion in India playing XI for India vs Pakistan ODI World Cup match on Saturday. Notably, Gill opens for Gujarat Titans in IPL and Ahmedabad is also his IPL team's home ground.
"This is the ground where he has played his franchise cricket. He understands every blade of grass about this ground. He knows how to get runs here. With the kind of record he has at this ground and the kind of record he had in the last 1 year, he should definitely play.
"In the first couple of games, especially against Afghanistan, we didn’t require him. The others did the job but now if we look at Pakistan, they are also coming on the back of two wins. It would be very good if we go in with the best possible XI. Ishan of course has done reasonably well in the second game but when a person like Shubman Gill is there, you have one more match-winner to the XI. This is not a T20 game where he needs to go slam-bang. He can take his time, get set, occupy the crease and then see how it goes. Ideally, I would want him in the XI," Prasad expressed.