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‘Waited For Gill …’ Rohit Sharma Explains India’s World Cup 2023 Playing XI Against AUS

image-lnhct3sfRohit Sharma chats with Ravichandran Ashwin during IND vs AUS (AP)

India’s in-form opening batter Shubman Gill missed out from team’s playing XI for their World Cup 2023 opener against Australia. Earlier this week, the cricketer caught dengue and had to miss his subsequent training sessions in Chennai.

However, a day prior to India’s match against Australia, head coach Rahul Dravid ignited much hopes among fans by saying that Gill has not been ruled out yet and might well make it to the playing XI just in time for the blockbuster game. As it turned out, the youngster could not recover, thus allowing Ishan Kishan to take up the opener’s role instead.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma confirmed during the toss that he had waited until morning to take a call on Gill, before eventually going with Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI.

Rohit Sharma gives Shubman Gill update during toss

Rohit Sharma addressed Shubman Gill’s health update after losing the toss to Australian captain Pat Cummins prior to the launch of their World Cup 2023 fixture in Chennai. The Indian skipper claimed that he waited for Gill to recover until morning, and confirmed that Ishan Kishan will be taking his place as an opener instead.

“Unfortunately, Shubman Gill didn't recover in time, we waited till today morning and he couldn't recover. Ishan comes in to replace him, he will open the batting.”

Gill’s exclusion from the playing XI made way for Ravichandran Ashwin into the line-up, as Team India unleashes a three-way spin attack on Australia.

Ashwin has been joined by Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja as the spin trio. At the moment, Australia are tottering in the match, having already lost 6 wickets.