Aaron Finch Clarifies Why Australia Feels Relieved Bowling to Ishan Kishan With Shubman Gill Likely Absent from India’s World Cup Opener. The news of Shubman Gill’s illness, just two days before India’s World Cup opener against Australia, has created a fresh headache for the management.
Gill, who has been India’s most successful ODI batsman this year with over 1200 runs, is now highly unlikely to be available for Sunday’s eagerly awaited clash against Australia due to his recent diagnosis with dengue.
When considering Gill’s replacement, the choice is evident. Ishan Kishan, who holds the record for the fastest ODI double-century, is the clear pick. However, even with the talented left-hander alongside Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, India will undoubtedly feel the absence of their most in-form batsman.
Shubman Gill’s illness disrupts India’s World Cup plans
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has shared his perspective on India’s recent setback. He believes that despite Rohit Sharma and the rest of the team having capable replacements, Ishan Kishan may not provide what Shubman Gill brings to the team.
In the recently concluded series against Australia, which India won 2-1, Gill displayed good form by scoring 168 runs. However, his overall ODI record against the five-time champions is even more impressive, with 268 runs in 6 innings at an average of 44.67. According to Finch, this could be a significant factor.
“What’s going to stand out in this World Cup is the depth of these squads. Most teams are going with an idea what their ideal XI is but that doesn’t always go to plan. There are injuries, fatigue as it’s a long tournament. Still, India would be pretty comfortable. The difference will be the fear factor Shubman Gill puts into the Australian team,” Finch said.
“He is someone who Australia at times really struggle to bowl to in any format because he has no weaknesses. He is somebody who can hit your best balls. He dominates spin, left-arm pacer, right-arm pace so I think that will be the only difference. Australia will be a little more comfortable bowling to Ishan Kishan in the Powerplay,” he continued.
“Starc and Hazelwood. I would go with that selection if I have to bowl to the left-hander. The outswing to Ishan because I still think he has a few technical faults he still hasn’t quite ironed out over the last while. His front foot closes up quite a bit so if he can swing it early, they can get him. Once he gets in, he moves beautifully. But just those initial balls though, he tends to get vulnerable,” concluded the former Australia captain.
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