ODI World Cup 2023: Rahul Dravid provides Shubman Gill update ahead of blockbuster Australia clash

India head coach Rahul Dravid has provided a major update on opener Shubman Gill's availability for their opening match against Australia on October 8. The two decisive sides will lock horns at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

The talented young batter has been battling an illness since reaching Chennai, and Dravid said that he is yet to be ruled out of the forthcoming match. The former cricketer added that the 24-year-old will be continuously monitored by the medical team.

“He’s certainly feeling better today. The medical team is monitoring on daily basis. We have 36 hours, we’ll see what decision they take. He’s certainly feeling better today. Medical team hasn’t ruled him out as yet," Dravid said. We’ll keep monitoring him on a day to day basis. We’ll see how he feels day after tomorrow," Dravid was quoted as saying by ICC. 

Gill to play key role for India in World Cup 2023

Shubman Gill is one of the finest batters in India's current batting order. The Punjab-born cricketer, who made his international debut during an away ODI series against New Zealand in January 2019, has established his potency across all formats of the game.

The 24-year-old was crucial for the Men in Blue in their recent three-match ODI series against Australia at home. Playing in only the first two matches, he recorded excellent knocks of 74 and 104, respectively. Notably, India won both games to clinch the series but fell short in the final one. 

Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

Prior to this ODI series, Gill excelled with the bat in India's title-winning campaign in the Asia Cup 2023. He finished the tournament as the leading run scorer with 302 runs in six games at an average of 75.50 and a strike rate of 93.49. He has scored a century and two fifties in the Continental championship. Overall, he has scored 1917 ODI runs in 35 games at an average of 66.10 and a strike rate of 102.84.