Image Credit: BCCI
India Triumphs Over Bangladesh in Champions Trophy Opener
India registered a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A clinical performance by Mohammed Shami with the ball and a well-paced century from Shubman Gill helped India comfortably chase down a target of 229 to kick off their campaign on a strong note.
After restricting Bangladesh to 228 all out, India’s top order showed resilience despite early setbacks, with Shubman Gill (101) leading from the front*. His unbeaten century, combined with a solid contribution from *KL Rahul (41)**, ensured India secured the win with 16 balls to spare.
Shami’s Five-Wicket Haul Stifles Bangladesh’s Batting Effort
Opting to bowl first, India’s bowlers made an immediate impact, keeping Bangladesh’s scoring rate in check. Mohammed Shami was the star, delivering a remarkable spell of 5/53, which dismantled Bangladesh’s batting lineup.
Shami’s early breakthroughs put Bangladesh on the back foot, and despite a strong 100-run knock by Towhid Hridoy, Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships. Wickets at regular intervals prevented them from setting a more competitive total.
With his five-wicket haul, Shami reached the milestone of 200 ODI wickets, becoming the fastest Indian bowler to achieve the feat, adding another accolade to his impressive career.
India’s Chase: Gill’s Masterclass Leads the Way
Chasing 229, India faced some early trouble when Rohit Sharma (14) and Virat Kohli (19) departed cheaply, leaving the side at 48/2. However, Shubman Gill took control, playing a patient yet authoritative innings to stabilize the chase.
Gill formed a crucial 63-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer (37), keeping the scoreboard ticking. Even after Iyer’s dismissal, KL Rahul joined Gill in the middle, and together, they ensured there were no further hiccups. Rahul’s unbeaten 41 provided the perfect support as India crossed the finish line in the 47th over.
Fielding and Record-Breaking Moments
Apart from the stellar performances with bat and ball, the match saw some memorable milestones for Indian cricket.
- Virat Kohli equaled Mohammad Azharuddin’s record for most catches (156) in ODIs for India, proving his reliability in the field.
- Rohit Sharma became the second-fastest batsman to score 11,000 ODI runs, continuing to cement his legacy in international cricket.
Despite a dominant performance, India had some moments of concern in the field, particularly when a dropped catch by Rohit Sharma denied Axar Patel a hat-trick. However, these lapses did not impact the final outcome.
Bangladesh Struggles Despite Hridoy’s Century
Bangladesh’s batting lineup relied heavily on Towhid Hridoy, who scored a resilient 100, but lack of support from the other batsmen prevented them from setting a formidable target. The team lost wickets at crucial junctures, with India’s disciplined bowling attack preventing any late recovery.
Even though Bangladesh managed to bat for 49.2 overs, their inability to accelerate in the death overs cost them a bigger total, ultimately making it easier for India to chase down the target.
What’s Next for India?
With a commanding win in their opening game, India now shifts focus to their highly anticipated clash against Pakistan. The upcoming match is expected to be a high-pressure encounter, given the historic rivalry between the two teams.
On the other hand, Bangladesh will look to regroup and bounce back in their next fixture, as their campaign now hinges on securing a win to stay in contention.
With strong performances in both batting and bowling, India has once again proven why they are one of the favorites to win the tournament. Their dominant start will give them confidence heading into tougher challenges ahead.
