India Win: In a match that oscillated between chaos and brilliance, India kicked off their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a commanding six-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dubai. At the heart of this victory was Shubman Gill’s gritty, unbeaten century—a knock that blended patience with precision-and Mohammed Shami’s fiery five-wicket haul, which set the stage for India’s successful chase of 229.
Gill’s Gritty Ton: A Lesson in Adaptability
Shubman Gill, India’s vice-captain and the world’s No. 1 ODI batter, showcased why he’s touted as the future of Indian cricket. On a tricky Dubai pitch where slower deliveries dominated the middle overs, Gill anchored the chase with a masterful 101* off 129 balls. This marked his eighth ODI century and his first in an ICC tournament, cementing his reputation as a big-match player.
Gill’s innings was a study in resilience. After a blistering 69-run opening stand with skipper Rohit Sharma (41 off 36), India faced turbulence as Virat Kohli (22), Shreyas Iyer (15), and Axar Patel (8) fell in quick succession. With the score at 144/3 in 30 overs, Gill shifted gears cautiously, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. His partnership with KL Rahul (41* off 47) for the fifth wicket-worth 87 runs—sealed the game, with Rahul finishing the chase with a six. (India Win)
“It wasn’t easy out there,” Gill later admitted, referencing the pitch’s two-paced nature. “I had to stay patient and trust my instincts.” His century, laced with 9 fours and 2 sixes, was also his fourth consecutive 50+ score in ODIs, underlining his consistency.
Shami’s Sensational Spell: Breaking Bangladesh’s Back
Earlier, Mohammed Shami (5/53) orchestrated Bangladesh’s collapse, reducing them to 35/5 within 12 overs. His fiery opening spell included the wickets of Soumya Sarkar (duck) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, while debutant Harshit Rana (3/31) complemented him with tight lines.
Shami’s mastery was evident as he exploited the Dubai conditions, swinging the ball both ways and becoming the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets—a milestone he achieved during the match . Despite Bangladesh’s recovery through Towhid Hridoy’s maiden ODI century (100 off 118) and Jaker Ali’s 68, Shami returned to dismantle the tail, ensuring Bangladesh folded for 228. (India Win)
Bangladesh’s Fightback and Missed Chances
Bangladesh’s innings mirrored a rollercoaster. After their top order crumbled, Hridoy and Jaker Ali staged a valiant 154-run partnership-the highest sixth-wicket stand for Bangladesh in ODIs. Hridoy battled cramps and fatigue, while Ali played a supporting role. However, dropped catches by Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya allowed Bangladesh to post a competitive total.
Rohit’s Milestone and Road Ahead
Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, crossed 11,000 ODI runs during his knock, becoming the second-fastest to the milestone after Virat Kohli. His aggressive start laid the foundation for India’s chase.
With this win, India now gears up for a high-octane clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23. If Gill and Shami maintain their form, the Men in Blue could well be on their way to erasing the memories of their 2017 Champions Trophy final heartbreak. (India Win)
Final Scorecard
- Bangladesh: 228 all out (Hridoy 100, Jaker 68; Shami 5/53)
- India: 231/4 in 46.3 overs (Gill 101, Rahul 41; Rishad 2/38)
Player of the Match: Shubman Gill
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