Dubai, February 20, 2025 – Team India kicked off their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a commanding six-wicket win over Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium. The match witnessed outstanding performances from Mohammed Shami and Shubman Gill, setting the tone for India’s tournament run.
Shami’s Five-Wicket Haul Restricts Bangladesh
Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat first but faced immediate setbacks as India’s pace attack dismantled their top order. Mohammed Shami, returning to international cricket, delivered a sensational spell, picking up 5/53. His efforts helped India bowl Bangladesh out for 228 in 48.4 overs. Notably, Shami reached his 200th ODI wicket milestone, becoming the fastest Indian to achieve this feat.
Towhid Hridoy was the standout performer for Bangladesh, scoring a maiden ODI century (100 off 114 balls). Despite his resilient knock, the rest of the batting lineup struggled against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Jaker Ali contributed with 68 runs, but Bangladesh lost wickets at crucial intervals.
Gill’s Century Anchors India’s Chase
Chasing 229, India started strong with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting up a solid foundation. Rohit (41 off 36) reached 11,000 ODI runs, becoming the second-fastest to achieve this milestone. However, Bangladesh struck back, dismissing key batters Virat Kohli (21), Shreyas Iyer (19), and Axar Patel (5), reducing India to 144/4.
Gill held his ground, crafting a patient yet confident century (101* off 129 balls), ensuring India’s successful chase with 21 balls to spare. His innings, decorated with precision shots and tactical strike rotation, marked his eighth ODI century. KL Rahul (28*) provided crucial support towards the end, steering India to victory.
Key Takeaways from India’s Victory:
- Shami’s Comeback: His five-wicket haul proved why he remains a vital asset in India’s bowling lineup.
- Gill’s Maturity: The young opener displayed remarkable composure, adapting to the situation and guiding India to a win.
- Bangladesh’s Inconsistency: Hridoy and Jaker Ali played commendable innings, but the top order’s failure cost them a competitive total.
With this victory, India starts the tournament on a high note and will look to maintain momentum in their upcoming matches. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will need to reassess their batting approach before their next fixture.
Stay tuned for more updates from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025!
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