Shubman Gill coming out of Chennai airport with a mask on on Wednesday. Photo: Debasis Sen

Xtra Time Web Desk: In what comes as a setback for the Indian cricket team ahead of their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 opener against Australia in Chennai, in-form opener Shubman Gill has tested positive for dengue and is doubtful for the opening game against the Aussies. There will be another round of tests on Friday before the team management takes a final call.

Shubman, who has been in terrific form in 2023, was spotted with a surgical mask on his face at the Chennai airport when the Indian team landed in Chennai on Wednesday afternoon after completing their warm up leg in Trivandrum.

Gill was the only player absent from the training session on Thursday as India practiced full tilt and prepared for the game against Australia on October 8. Notably, Ishan Kishan batted at length in the nets and is all set to replace Gill in the playing XI for the opening clash in the World Cup.

Shubman has showed tremendous consistency in the last one year. He was the leading run-scorer in the Indian Premier League 2023 and also scored the most runs in the recent concluded Asia Cup 2023 with 302 runs.

It remains to be seen how serious Gill's condition is but he is likely to miss a couple of games at least as he recovers from the disease.