Dubai: The Indian cricket team began their Champions Trophy 2025 outing with a thumping six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their first match at the Dubai International Stadium. India successfully chased down 229 runs despite a tricky pitch, and Abbott Shubman Gill starred with the bat as he scored an unbeaten century (101).
Indian pace bowler Mohammed Shami was the most successful bowler, returning figures of 5/53 that helped shatter any hopes the Bangladesh batters had of a solid chase. Shami was, however, the one who hit the brakes on the Bangladesh innings, which was off to a reasonable start after they had elected to bat first after winning the toss.
Utilising the dry conditions that would benefit the spinners as the game progressed, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s choice to bat first appeared to be a shrewd move. Well, that backfired, as Bangladesh lost two in the first two overs, and by the ninth over, Bangladesh was reeling at 35 for five, Shami with two of those wickets.
Bangladesh’s Jaker Ali and Towhid Hridoy rescued the innings from a precarious position to record a mammoth sixth-wicket partnership of 154 runs after a shaky start. Jaker hit 68, and Towhid made 100. After a disastrous start, they steadied the innings. But Shami later got Jaker out to become the fastest player in the world to reach the 200 ODI wickets mark in terms of balls bowled.
Even for India, the beginning of their chase presented challenges. Despite setting the tone with a rapid 41, Captain Rohit Sharma was unable to convert it into a significant score. With wickets falling at regular intervals, the middle order struggled, and India was 144 for four by the 31st.
India’s run chase grew more complicated when KL Rahul shelled a relatively straightforward catch as the tension rose. He made the most of this opportunity and put on an important stand of 87 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket with Gill. Gill’s runs remained intact when the chase was finished as Rahul made his contribution by scoring 41 not out.
Gill’s impressive performance against England last week culminated in his second consecutive ODI hundred. His performance gave India the win, and his tone set the national campaign in this marquee tournament.
This victory has placed India in a good position heading into the Champions Trophy, where they will strive to defend their title and further solidify their status as a cricketing powerhouse.
Comments are closed.