World Cup 2023: Shubman Gill says 'after-effects of dengue' caused cramps in semi-final

Shubman Gill on Wednesday said that the after-effects of dengue were responsible for him missing a hundred in India’s semi-final against New Zealand. Gill made 80 not out in India’s 70-run win but had to retire hurt due to cramps in Mumbai’s humid and hot conditions. The batter spoke about his fitness after India’s victory and stated that he suffered cramps due to his reduced muscle mass as a result of dengue which he suffered at the start of the World Cup.

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Gill also confirmed that he is fit to play in the final of World Cup 2023.

“I have honestly not really adjusted anything in terms of my batting but because I have lost a bit of muscle mass, I think the reserve that I used to have before the dengue has decreased a little bit…You do get cramps when you’re playing in humid conditions, but for me [it] happens after a long period of time, not so soon. But because I think I’ve lost a bit of muscle mass; the reserve has gone down a bit,” he said in the post-match press conference.

The batter also added that his missing out on a century did not matter as India got to a winning total (397/4) with Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer slamming centuries.

“I would have got my hundred had I not suffered the cramps. The total which we were trying to get to, irrespective of me getting a hundred or not, we were able to get there which we had in fact hoped for around the 25th or the 30th over,” Gill told the media after the match.

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“We made that many so it does not matter if I got a hundred or not,” added Gill.

Gill was also asked about the controversy over the pitch for the first semi-final of this World Cup, but the batter was unaware of the furore.

A few media reports had stated that BCCI switched to a used surface for the semi-final from a pre-panned fresh pitch.

“I have found out just now that there was a controversy over the pitch. What was the controversy?” Gill said and asked.

Read: Controversy erupts after reports of pitch swap for World Cup semi-final

Gill was also full of praise for his opening partner and captain Rohit Sharma who once again played a blistering knock (47 off 29 balls) that helped India score a healthy total.

“Everything about him inspires me. When I am in a partnership with him, I am mostly stationed at the non-striker’s end. In about 10 overs I would get to face just 15-20 balls and Rohit bhai keeps going, a four here and a six there,” Gill added.