Dubai, February 20, 2025 – India kick-started their ICC Champions Trophy campaign with a hard-fought six-wicket victory over Bangladesh, thanks to Shubman Gill’s patient century and Mohammed Shami’s fiery five-wicket haul. The win, secured with 21 balls to spare, marked India’s successful navigation of a tricky 229-run chase on a slow Dubai pitch.
Match Highlights:
- India: 231/4 (Gill 101, Rahul 41, Rohit 41 | Rishad 2-38)
- Bangladesh: 228 (Hridoy 100, Jaker 68 | Shami 5-53, Rana 3-31, Axar 2-43)
- India won by six wickets
Shami’s Milestone Five-For Sets Up India’s Win
Bowling first, India made early inroads as Mohammed Shami (5/53) became the fastest bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled. His fiery spell dismantled Bangladesh’s top order, leaving them reeling at 35/5. Axar Patel (2/43) was on a hat-trick at one point, but a dropped catch by Rohit Sharma allowed Bangladesh to stabilize.
Despite the early collapse, Towhid Hridoy (100) and Jaker Ali (68) put on a record-breaking sixth-wicket stand, rescuing Bangladesh with a gritty fightback. The duo capitalized on three dropped catches and ensured Bangladesh posted a competitive 228.
Gill Anchors India’s Chase Amidst Stumbles
India started strong, with Rohit Sharma (41 off 36) and Shubman Gill (101* off 125) putting up a quick 69-run stand. However, the momentum slowed after Rohit’s departure, followed by quick dismissals of Virat Kohli (13) and Shreyas Iyer (15).
As Bangladesh tightened their grip, Gill showed remarkable patience, scoring his slowest ODI century. KL Rahul (41* off 55) provided crucial support, ensuring India didn’t repeat their struggles from the Sri Lanka series last year.
Key Takeaways from the Match:
- Shami’s record-breaking spell helped India seize early control.
- Hridoy’s fighting ton gave Bangladesh a respectable total despite their poor start.
- India’s dropped catches allowed Bangladesh to recover but didn’t cost them the match.
- Gill’s slowest ODI hundred (off 125 balls) ensured stability in a tricky chase.
- India’s net run rate didn’t get a significant boost, which could be a factor later in the tournament.
What’s Next?
India will look to fine-tune their approach as they prepare for their next group-stage clash, while Bangladesh will aim to bounce back from their opening loss. With both teams eyeing a spot in the semi-finals, every match from here on will be crucial.
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