India may call up Ruturaj Gaikwad or Yashashvi Jaiswal as Shubman Gill’s cover for World Cup after he was hospitalized 

Shubman Gill was hospitalized as his platelet count decreased.

India may call up Ruturaj Gaikwad or Yashashvi Jaiswal as Shubman Gill’s cover for World Cup after he was hospitalized 

With Shubman Gill reportedly out for the first 3 matches, Indian might call up a back up opener (Images via ESPN)

A few days before India started their 2023 ICC ODI World Cup campaign, opener Shubman Gill was reportedly diagnosed with dengue. That meant he missed India’s matches against Australia and Afghanistan. After news came out that he was hospitalized due to low platelet count, he could miss India’s match with Pakistan that will be played on 14th October. 

According to Indian Express, the Indian selectors might call up cover for Shubman Gill till he recovers. Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashashvi Jaiswal could be called up for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Ruturaj last played an ODI against Australia just days before the World Cup began, while Jaiswal is yet to debut in the format. 

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With Gill now discharged, the Indian medical team will work towards getting him back to full fitness. In normal circumstances a dengue patient takes a minimum 3 weeks to fully recover. According to reports, the team management is aiming to bring back Gill in the playing 11  against Bangladesh on 19th October. 

Related: BCCI confirm Shubman Gill will miss India’s second match of ODI World Cup against Afghanistan due to dengue

Ruturaj Gaikwad or Yashasvi Jaiswal? Who goes to the World Cup? 

Now as Gill is  confirmed out against Afghanistan and Pakistan, India will need to call up an opener to cover for him. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal are currently the frontrunners due to the great form they are in. The duo were also a part of the 2023 Asian Games winning squad, which Gaikwad captained.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Yashasvi Jaiswal
Both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal are in contention to be in the World Cup squad. (Images via ESPN)

Ruturaj Gaikwad had a stellar Domestic season with Maharashtra, where he led the team as captain to the finals. He was awarded the player of the tournament. In 75 List A matches, he scored 4121 runs with an average of 59.72. He has also played 4 ODI for India, scoring 106 runs with his highest score being 71. 

Yashasvi Jasiwal has not represented India in ODIs yet, but has opened in T20is and Test cricket. In 2020, he represented India in the ICC U-19 ODI World Cup, where he scored 400 runs in 6 innings. In 32 List A matches, he has scored 1511 runs. He has already scored one century in Test Cricket and T20Is, and could now be a part of the ODI team as well.

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