'The Indian team have decided that they will not tell us clearly' - Former India Cricketer opines about Shubman Gill's health status

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has criticized the Indian Cricket Board (ICB) for not providing a clear update on the fitness status of Shubman Gill. The promising young batsman was unavailable for the team's opening match against Australia in Chennai due to a bout of dengue. Gill will also be absent for the second game against Afghanistan in Delhi on October 11, as announced by India head coach Rahul Dravid.

While Dravid mentioned that Gill was progressing well, he would not be traveling with the team to Delhi, needing more time for recovery. Expressing his disappointment, Chopra remarked that the lack of a clear update allows people to speculate about Gill's condition, whether it's dengue or another reason, as the team hasn't disclosed the actual cause.

"Shubman Gill is ill. He has not yet become fit. The Indian team have decided that they will not tell us clearly, that we can keep thinking, we can say it is dengue or whatever we feel like but they will not tell us," Chopra was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

Gill is not travelling with team: Aakash Chopra

 The 46-year-old further noted that Shubman Gill was absent from the ground and did not accompany the team, indicating that his health condition might not be favorable. In Gill's absence for the match against Afghanistan led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ishan Kishan will open alongside captain Rohit Sharma, despite Kishan facing a duck in the previous game against Australia at Chepauk.

 Notably, besides the wicketkeeper-batsman, both Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer also faced dismissals without scoring in that match. Nevertheless, the duo of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul took charge of India's innings, guiding the team to a six-wicket victory against Pat Cummins and his team.

"When he is not traveling and didn't come to the ground in the last match, it means he is not in such a good position. The Indian team had claimed that he was getting better, was feeling very well, and that they would decide at the last moment. He is not even fit to go to Delhi and you were saying that you were monitoring him in Chennai," the former cricketer added.