AHMEDABAD: Top Indian batsman Shubman Gill has been included in the team against Pakistan after fully recovering from dengue fever.
The batsman missed the team’s first two wins but is ready to take the field today at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad against their arch-rivals.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma confirmed after winning the toss that the batsman has been included in the playing XI.
“Gill has taken Ishan’s place again. Feel for Ishan. He has taken a step forward, but Gill has been an excellent player for us,” he said.
Gill, 24, had a practice session on Thursday after flying to the western Indian city from Chennai, where he had been hospitalized and missed India’s victory over Australia.
He contracted dengue infection before the tournament and did not travel with the team for the second match in New Delhi, where India beat Afghanistan.
Ishan Kishan replaced Gill and took the lead in both matches, making 0 and 47.
India played three spinners in their opening match before bringing in fast bowler Shardul Thakur for Ravichandran Ashwin against Afghanistan.
On Friday, Rohit said there will be horses on the fields for the big match and the players have been informed about any changes.
“Depending on the kind of conditions we play in, if there are one or two changes we need to make, we will be ready and the boys have been informed in advance about these kinds of changes,” Rohit said.
“So I don’t think there will be any problem for the players. But if there is a requirement for us to play with three spinners, we will play with three spinners.”
Babar Azam’s Pakistan also enters the contest at the 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium with two wins in two matches.
