Shubman Gill and Mohammed Shami Propel India to Victory Against Bangladesh in Champions Trophy Opener | Cricket News

India made a strong start to their 2025 Champions Trophy campaign with a thrilling six-wicket victory over Bangladesh on Thursday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The win was powered by an impressive unbeaten century from Shubman Gill and a spectacular five-wicket haul by veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, as India successfully chased down 229 runs in a Group A fixture.

Shubman Gill Shines with Eighth ODI Century

Chasing a target of 229, India faced an early stumble at 144 for four in the 31st over. However, Gill, who has been in excellent form, remained calm under pressure. His elegant 101 not out off 129 balls, including 9 fours and 2 sixes, anchored the chase. He found a reliable partner in KL Rahul (41 not out off 47 balls), and together, they formed an unbeaten partnership of 87 runs off 98 balls to guide India home.

Gill, who had recently scored a century in the third ODI against England, continued his rich vein of form. His batting was a display of class and elegance, as he pulled, flicked, and danced down the pitch to deal with the Bangladesh bowlers with ease. One of the standout moments came when Gill launched a stunning six to deep mid-wicket off Tanzim Hasan Sakib, bringing him closer to his century.

A Tough Chase and Key Partnerships

India began their chase confidently, with an aggressive 69-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma (41 off 36 balls) and Gill in just 59 balls. Rohit was at his attacking best, hitting three fours in the sixth over off Mustafizur Rahman. However, his departure, attempting to clear Taskin Ahmed, and subsequent dismissals of Virat Kohli (22), Shreyas Iyer (15), and Axar Patel (8) created some tension in the Indian camp.

India found themselves in a tricky position, but Rahul’s composed batting and a crucial reprieve when he was dropped on 9 by Jaker at deep mid-wicket proved to be a turning point. Rahul made full use of the opportunity and finished the game with a six, sealing the win in the 47th over.

Shami Leads the Bowling Attack with Five Wickets

Earlier, India’s bowlers, led by Shami’s brilliant performance, dominated Bangladesh’s batting. Shami took five wickets for 53 runs in 10 overs, marking his return to form after a brief dip. His efforts helped India restrict Bangladesh to 228 runs. Shami’s remarkable achievement of becoming the fastest Indian to 200 ODI wickets added to the significance of the match. With his 200th wicket, Shami surpassed Ajit Agarkar’s record and became India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC tournaments.

The Bangladesh innings got off to a disastrous start as they slipped to 2 for 2 within the first two overs. Shami removed Soumya Sarkar for a duck, while Harshit Rana, making a surprise appearance ahead of Arshdeep Singh, dismissed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Rana’s 3 for 31 in 7.4 overs was a crucial contribution.

Bangladesh’s Fightback Led by Towhid Hridoy

Despite early setbacks, Bangladesh fought back with a resilient partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali. Hridoy, in particular, played a gutsy innings, scoring a maiden ODI century off 118 balls. His efforts, alongside Jaker’s 68 off 114 balls, brought Bangladesh back into the game. The pair added 154 runs for the sixth wicket, but India’s fielding lapses, including dropped catches by Rohit and Hardik Pandya, allowed them to capitalize on the opportunity.

Hridoy’s heroics were not enough, as India’s bowlers tightened the noose. Once Jaker was dismissed, Bangladesh collapsed, losing their last five wickets for just 39 runs. Axar Patel, who had earlier dismissed two batsmen in consecutive balls, played a key role in the final stages. Shami’s fifth wicket sealed Bangladesh’s fate, and they were all out for 228 in 49.4 overs.

India’s Strong Start to the Tournament

India’s victory not only marked a dominant start to their Champions Trophy campaign but also showcased the depth and resilience of the team. While there were a few shaky moments in the chase, the partnerships between Gill and Rahul, along with Shami’s fiery spell with the ball, ensured India’s success.

With the win behind them, India will now look forward to their upcoming clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday. The team’s all-round performance and the form of key players like Gill and Shami will give them confidence as they continue their pursuit of the 2025 Champions Trophy.