ICC commentator Harsha Bhogle will miss the India-Pakistan game, the most hotly anticipated clash of the 2023 World Cup group stages, due to contracting dengue.

The esteemed broadcaster confirmed the development on X (formerly Twitter).

I am disappointed at having to miss out on #IndiavsPak on the 14th. But I have dengue and the resultant weakness, and lowered immunity, will make it impossible. I am hoping to be back in time for the game on the 19th. My colleagues, and the broadcast crew, have been very helpful…

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 12, 2023

“I am disappointed at having to miss out on #IndiavsPak on the 14th,” he said. “But I have dengue and the resultant weakness, and lowered immunity, will make it impossible. I am hoping to be back in time for the game on the 19th. My colleagues, and the broadcast crew, have been very helpful (and took on the extra workload during the second half of #IndiaVsAus ) and I look forward to saying thank you to them in person.”

Bhogle is regarded as one of India’s most respected voices on the game, a reputation built up during a decades-long commentary career. He also confirmed he would be absent from Cricbuzz live.

Dengue, a mosquito-borne tropical disease, is not usually but can be serious. It has already had an impact on the World Cup, with star India batter Shubman Gill missing his side’s first two games. While he was in contention to play in the opener against Australia, his condition worsened, with the opener hospitalised and not travelling with the team to Delhi for the second game against Afghanistan.

He has made the trip to Ahmedabad, raising hopes that he could return for the Pakistan clash on October 14.

India have won each of their first two opening games in convincing fashion, by six and eight wickets respectively.

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