BAN vs IND Review: Shami, Gill flex muscles to place India on the winning side
In their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India secured a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dubai. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh faced early setbacks, collapsing to 35 for 5 within the first nine overs. Mohammed Shami spearheaded India’s bowling attack, achieving impressive figures of 5 for 53 and becoming the fastest bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled. His early breakthroughs, combined with Harshit Rana’s dismissal of Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, put Bangladesh in a precarious position.
Despite the early turmoil, Bangladesh’s middle-order batsmen, Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali, mounted a resilient comeback. The duo forged a record-breaking sixth-wicket partnership of 154 runs, with Hridoy scoring a valiant 100 and Jaker contributing 68. Their efforts propelled Bangladesh to a total of 228 before being bowled out in the final over. Notably, Hridoy battled through cramps during his innings, showcasing determination and grit.
Chasing 229, India started strongly with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting up a 69-run partnership. Rohit, after reaching 41, fell to Taskin Ahmed, leading to a brief slowdown in India’s scoring rate. However, Gill anchored the innings with an unbeaten 101, his second consecutive ODI century. He found support in KL Rahul, who remained not out on 41, as they guided India to victory with 21 balls to spare.
Top Performers of the Match
Shubman Gill (101* off 129)
Shubman Gill continued his red-hot form, smashing his eighth ODI century and maiden Champions Trophy ton. The India vice-captain anchored the chase with an impressive knock, reaching his hundred in 125 balls, laced with nine boundaries and two sixes. Coming off a solid England series where he scored a century and two fifties, the Punjab batter once again proved his class on the big occasions. The youngster also won the Player of the Match award for his performance.
Mohammed Shami (5/53)
Mohammed Shami once again proved why he is India’s go-to bowler in ICC tournaments, delivering a brilliant five-wicket haul. Shami became the highest wicket-taker for India in ICC ODI events. The speedster also became the fastest Indian to reach 200 ODI wickets, achieving the milestone in fewer matches than Ajit Agarkar. His spell saw him dismiss Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan, and Taskin Ahmed, finishing with figures of 5/53.
What’s next for both teams?
India’s next challenge is against their arch-rivals Pakistan in Match 5 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on February 23. On the other hand, Bangladesh will fly to Pakistan to lock horns with New Zealand in Match 6 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on February 24.
