India are expected to welcome back Shubman Gill for the anticipated game after he missed their first two matches in the tournament due to dengue. Gill, who has been on an enviable run-scoring spree in 2023, missed India’s World Cup opener on October 8 against Australia in Chennai, where he was subsequently hospitalised due to a low platelet count. He did not travel with the Indian team to Delhi, the venue for India’s match with Afghanistan.

However, Gill flew to Ahmedabad after being discharged from the hospital and had a closed indoor training session. Question marks still remained over his fitness and availability, which skipper Rohit provided an answer to in the pre-match press conference.

Rohit Sharma in PC: Shubman Gill is “99%” available for tomorrow.#INDvPAK #CWC2023

— Aadya Sharma (@Aadya_Wisden) October 13, 2023

Speaking to reporters, Rohit Sharma confirmed that Gill, his first-choice opening partner, was “99 percent” available for the Pakistan game, and should be back to opening batting on Saturday.

Earlier, Yuvraj Singh motivated his Punjab state teammate Gill by reminding of the adversities he had battled. Yuvraj himself had played matches with dengue as well, and played in the 2011 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament, with cancer.

If Gill does play, he is expected to replace Ishan Kishan in the XI. Kishan did not have the desired start in the World Cup: he made a duck against Australia, but recovered to make a run-a-ball 47 against Afghanistan.

This will also be Gill’s first ever senior World Cup match in white-ball cricket. He was the Player of the Tournament when India won the Under-19 World Cup in 2018.