In a concerning turn of events for Indian cricket fans, Shubman Gill, the promising opener, has been hospitalized in Chennai due to dengue fever. His platelet count dropped below 100,000, casting a shadow of uncertainty over his participation in the high-profile ICC World Cup 2023 clash against Pakistan, scheduled for October 14 in Ahmedabad.
Gill’s recent struggle with dengue began shortly after his arrival in Chennai last week. He has been unwell for the past week, making him unavailable for India’s upcoming match against Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), speaking on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that Gill has been receiving intravenous treatment at the Chennai team hotel for the past few days. However, his platelet count decreased to a critical 70,000, which is a common threshold for admission to a medical facility for dengue patients. The source indicated that Gill would be discharged once his platelet count surpasses 100,000. He is currently under the care of medical experts at Chennai’s renowned multi-care specialty hospital, Kauvery.
As the countdown to the Pakistan match continues, Gill’s health has become the primary concern for the Indian team management. A bout of dengue significantly weakens the body, and even for elite athletes, recovering from such an illness takes time to prepare for the rigorous demands of a tournament like the ICC World Cup 2023.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has emphatically prioritized Gill’s well-being. He expressed his sympathy for the young cricketer’s condition, putting humanity before captaincy ambitions. Rohit stated, “I mean obviously, he is sick. I feel for him. But in terms of, you know, me being the human being first, I want him to get well, not the captain thinking, oh, I want Gill to play tomorrow. No, I want him to get well; he’s a young guy, he’s got a fit body, so he’ll recover; he’ll recover quick.”
With only 96 hours remaining until the Pakistan match, fans and the cricketing world will keenly await updates on Shubman Gill’s health and his potential return to the ICC World Cup 2023 campaign.