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As the anticipation for the India vs. Pakistan World Cup 2023 match in Ahmedabad builds, all eyes are on the potential return of Shubman Gill to the Indian playing XI. The former India chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad, firmly believes that if Gill is fit, he should be on the field for this high-stakes encounter.
Gill's remarkable recovery has defied earlier expectations. Until Tuesday, it appeared unlikely that Gill would be available for the Pakistan match, having been discharged from the hospital just the night before. However, by Wednesday night, things took a positive turn as Gill traveled from Chennai to Ahmedabad and hit the ground running with a practice session on Thursday morning.
In a video aired by Star Sports, Gill appeared in high spirits as he made his way to the practice nets accompanied by Team India's physio Kamlesh and throwdown specialist Nuwan Seneviratne. Gill spent nearly an hour in the nets, facing throwdowns and local net bowlers. The best part: he showed no signs of discomfort. Toward the end of the session, he even engaged in some fielding drills.
With more than 24 hours until the Pakistan match, Gill will undergo another full-fledged practice session with the Indian squad on Friday evening. If he performs well, there is every reason to believe that he could make his World Cup debut on Saturday. This development also suggests that the Indian team management has dismissed any notions of calling up Ruturaj Gaikwad or Yashasvi Jaiswal as replacements.
MSK Prasad, the former India chairman of selectors and now a Star Sports' Telugu cricket expert for this World Cup, left no room for doubt: "I think we can put an end to all kinds of speculations. Shubman Gill will definitely play this game (vs. Pakistan). He's too good a player to miss out. He had just a fever. He has recovered. It was not threatening at all that we would even think about replacements."
Prasad clarified that Gill's non-participation in India's match against Afghanistan was purely precautionary, adding, "If he is fit, which I'm sure he is, then he should be in India's playing XI."
The potential return of Shubman Gill is a major boost for India for several reasons. Gill provides the team with the much-needed solidity at the top of the order. Additionally, his impressive record at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad cannot be ignored. Although he hasn't played an ODI at the venue, his performance in three Tests and a T20I there has been outstanding, with an average of 93 and two centuries.
Moreover, Motera is Gill's homeground in the IPL, representing the Gujarat Titans, and he delivered outstanding performances there in the last season. His deep understanding of the ground's nuances makes him a valuable asset for India.
Nasser Hussain, former England captain, offered a note of caution, emphasizing the importance of looking after Gill's well-being, considering the heat and humidity factors in this tournament. Nonetheless, the prospect of Gill's return to the XI adds another match-winner to India's arsenal, making the clash against Pakistan even more enticing.
In this crucial World Cup showdown, Shubman Gill's potential presence promises to be a game-changer for India, and fans eagerly await his return to the playing XI.
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