Rohit Sharma: Shubman Gill 99% available for selection for IND vs PAK ICC World Cup 2023 match at Narendra Modi Stadium

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: India captain Rohit Sharma on Friday (October 12) dropped a massive hint over the availability of star batter Shubman Gill for the highly-anticipated league match against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday (October 14).

Team India - who are coming on the back of two big wins in the competition - will lock horns with a strong Pakistan side, also unbeaten in the tournament, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

While interacting with media persons on the eve of the much-talked-about game, Rohit cleared the air over the fitness of star opener Gill, who missed the first two games due to dengue fever.

Gill was hospitalised in Chennai after his platelet count fell down drastically. The 24-year-old arrived in Ahmedabad on Wednesday and joined his teammates once they reached the city.

Giving an update on Gill's fitness, Rohit said at the pre-match press conference, "Gill is 99% fit and he's available for selection (for the match against Pakistan)." Gill was seen arriving at the stadium in the team bus on the eve of the game for the pre-match training session.

The captain later claimed that a call on team combination would be taken later as he hadn't checked the pitch at Motera Stadium and didn't rule out the possibility of going with three spinners against Pakistan.

"We'll assess the pitch and conditions and then take a call on our playing combination. If the condition allows we'll go ahead with three spinners as well," the right-handed batter who slammed a ton against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium in the previous game added.

Asked if his team has any psychological edge over Pakistan going into the game as they have a seven-match unbeaten streak over their neighbours in the ODI format of this multilateral competition, the Indian skipper downplayed it saying it will be a fresh start for both teams.

"I don't believe in psychological advantages. What happened in the past, is past. Both teams will start as favourites, both are equally better. We need to do well and carrying the momentum forward is important," added the Mumbaikar.

Rohit also added that he does believe in the momentums and is happy with the way his team peaked before the start of the tournament, during the Asia Cup, and later in the three-match home series against Australia.

The senior right-handed batter said, "I do believe in rhythm/momentum. Our bowlers have been in good momentum lately, they handled the pressure well and learnt a lot. We always discuss ticking the right boxes (before every game). It is nice to go into a WC to go with it."

The Indian skipper also claimed that he hasn't seen much impact of dew in the last two games and expects the conditions to be similar in Ahmedabad. "Don't know if dew will be a big factor here. I think, toss won't play a massive factor tomorrow as well. But we need to be prepared for all eventualities."

The crowd turnout at the largest cricket stadium in the world will be spectacular and it will be unevenly tilted in favour of the Indians. The India captain also claimed that there's no disadvantage in playing in front of a packed stadium at home. We get good support from the crowd wherever we travel. The home crowd support is a massive morale booster but the boys understand pretty well that they need to play good cricket (for better results)."