‘Pakistan ke liye kishan hi kaafi hai’ – Fans react as Ishan Kishan likely to continue as opener in Shubman Gill’s absence against Pakistan

India could face a significant challenge if their star opening batter Shubman Gill doesn’t recover in time for the match against Pakistan. They chose to promote the left-handed batter Ishan Kishan to open alongside Rohit Sharma in the first match against Australia, but he was dismissed without scoring on the first ball. 

Meanwhile, according to some reports Gill will also be missing the much-awaited India vs Pakistan contest and Kishan will continue to open with Indian captain Rohit Sharma. While the left-hander had recently performed well against the West Indies with three consecutive half-centuries in August, Gill’s absence is a major setback.

Gill has been India’s most consistent batter this year, amassing 1230 runs at an impressive average of 72.35. His special affinity for batting in Ahmedabad, his home ground for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), is something India might miss.

Gill’s brilliant records at the Narendra Modi Stadium

Gill has been exceptional in Ahmedabad, scoring 572 runs in 9 matches, including three fifties and two centuries, with a highest score of 128. His strike rate in Ahmedabad is an impressive 172.80, and he has hit 52 fours and 23 sixes. While Gill hasn’t played an ODI at this venue yet, he has already notched centuries in T20Is, like his unbeaten 126 against New Zealand, and in Tests, as seen in his 128 against Australia during this year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The young batsman won’t be playing in the upcoming match against Afghanistan in Delhi on October 11 after being ruled out following the Australia game. Following the Australia match, Gill stayed in Chennai and was closely observed by the medical team as he tested positive for dengue shortly after arriving in the city, causing him to feel unwell for nearly a week.

Here’s how fans reacted: