Shubman Gill is likely to miss India's first match of the 2023 World Cup against Australia this Sunday (October 8). The young Indian batsman has reportedly tested positive for dengue fever and is unlikely to take part in the match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Shubman Gill is currently out and could miss several matchdays. The Indian opener is in danger of missing some World Cup matches because he has been diagnosed with dengue fever. So far, the Indian team management has not initiated any replacement efforts.

Indian team sources told that Shubman Gill showed symptoms of dengue fever or infection when the team was in Guwahati for the first warm-up match on September 30. He immediately reported this to the team doctor Rizwan Khan and underwent the team's tests upon arrival in Thiruvananthapuram, where the team was scheduled to play the second warm-up match against the Netherlands on October 3.

Although both games were washed out due to rain, reports said Gill was available for selection for both games.

When he was taken to Chennai for further tests on Thursday evening, it was confirmed that he indeed had dengue fever. The severity of the fever is still being assessed, but team sources indicate he is not experiencing extreme weakness or discomfort.

Shubman Gill may undergo further tests, with a focus on the kidneys, as dengue fever can affect this vital organ. The team official issued the following statement on Friday morning: “He is not feeling well and the medical team is monitoring him closely. We hope for his speedy recovery.”

But the team management doesn't want to risk him on Sunday given the long competition. He is likely to be rested for India's World Cup opener against Australia at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. He may even miss the second game against Afghanistan on October 11 in New Delhi.

Ishan Kishan has been prepared as a replacement opener for India heading into the 2023 World Cup. The left-handed batsman has had several opportunities to open the batting for the Men in Blue in the ODI format in the last 12 months. He made the most of these opportunities by making a decent contribution to the team's overall result.

Kishan scored a double hundred in the opening batting in an ODI against Bangladesh last year. He also opened the 2023 Asia Cup final with Shubman Gill and earlier, Kishan hit three half-centuries on the trot as an opener in the away series against the West Indies.

Considering how the team management used Ishan Kishan as a replacement opener heading into the 2023 World Cup, he is the favorite to take Shubman Gill's place on Sunday.