India vs. Bangladesh, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Shami's Five-Wicket Haul and Gill's Century Propel India to Victory
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 commenced with a compelling match between India and Bangladesh on February 20, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium. India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, secured a six-wicket victory, highlighted by Mohammed Shami's exceptional five-wicket performance and Shubman Gill's unbeaten century.
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Ankit Sharma
2/20/20252 min read
Bangladesh's Innings: Early Collapse and a Resilient Stand
After winning the toss, Bangladesh elected to bat but faced immediate challenges. Mohammed Shami made an impactful start, dismissing Soumya Sarkar for a duck in the opening over. Debutant Harshit Rana complemented Shami's efforts by removing Najmul Hossain Shanto, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 26/3 within the first seven overs. The situation worsened as they slumped to 35/5.
A pivotal 154-run partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali revitalized the innings. Hridoy exhibited determination, scoring 100 off 118 balls, while Ali contributed 68 off 114 deliveries. Their collaboration guided Bangladesh to a total of 228 before being bowled out with two deliveries remaining.
Mohammed Shami's Record-Breaking Performance
Mohammed Shami delivered an outstanding spell, achieving figures of 5/53. This performance marked his sixth five-wicket haul in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and solidified his position as a leading bowler in ICC tournaments. Notably, Shami surpassed Zaheer Khan's record, becoming India's leading wicket-taker in ICC events.
India's Chase: Gill's Steadfast Century
Pursuing a target of 229, India began assertively with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill establishing a 69-run partnership. Rohit contributed a brisk 41 off 36 balls, during which he surpassed the 11,000-run milestone in ODIs. Following his dismissal, India experienced a brief setback, losing Virat Kohli (22) and Shreyas Iyer (15) in quick succession. However, Gill remained composed, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 101 off 129 balls, marking his eighth ODI century. KL Rahul provided valuable support, remaining not out on 41, as India achieved the target with 21 balls to spare.
Key Takeaways
India's Comprehensive Performance: The team excelled in both bowling and batting, setting a strong precedent for the tournament.
Shami's Milestone Achievement: His five-wicket haul and record-breaking wicket tally underscore his critical role in India's bowling lineup.
Gill's Maturity Under Pressure: His century demonstrated poise and responsibility, crucial for anchoring the chase.
Bangladesh's Middle-Order Resilience: Despite early setbacks, the partnership between Hridoy and Ali showcased depth and determination in their batting lineup.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, India gains two vital points and a positive net run rate. Their next fixture is a highly anticipated match against defending champions Pakistan on February 23, 2025, in Dubai. Conversely, Bangladesh will aim to regroup before facing New Zealand, a crucial match for maintaining their tournament aspirations.
India's performance in this opening match highlights their readiness and intent in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The combination of experienced bowlers and composed batsmen positions them as strong contenders in the competition.