Champions Trophy: Shami's Five-Wicket Haul and Gill's Century Propel India to Victory Over Bangladesh

Dubai, Feb 20 (NationPress) Shubman Gill, who has recently attained the status of top-ranked men’s ODI batter, scored a resilient eighth century in the 50-over format, leading India to a six-wicket victory against Bangladesh, thus beginning their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy journey on a triumphant note at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

With Mohammed Shami claiming 5-53 and helping India dismiss Bangladesh for 228, he became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets. Gill took a measured approach on a challenging pitch, scoring an unbeaten 101 off 129 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, while navigating the pressure of falling wickets.

Rohit Sharma provided valuable assistance with a brisk 41, followed by KL Rahul, who composed a steady 41 off 47 balls, showcasing his selection over Rishabh Pant as India's wicketkeeper-batter. India comfortably completed the chase with 21 balls remaining.

Although Gill's century was his slowest in ODIs, it was crucial for boosting India's confidence ahead of their upcoming clash against Pakistan, especially after being tested by Bangladesh's bowlers. Bangladesh's only highlight was Towhid Hridoy's fighting century and his 154-run partnership with Jaker Ali, who scored 68.

Shami made the initial breakthrough for India, catching Soumya Sarkar's inside edge with a delivery that seamed in, resulting in a catch by KL Rahul. The momentum continued as Najmul Hossain Shanto was caught at short cover off Harshit.

Tanzid Hasan began with three exquisite boundaries, but India maintained pressure. Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell to Shami, caught at slip, while Tanzid's innings ended with an edge to Rahul off Axar. Axar quickly dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim for a golden duck on his next delivery. Rohit Sharma missed a catch that could have given Axar a hat-trick.

Jaker and Hridoy patiently rebuilt the innings, rotating the strike and capitalizing on loose balls. Hridoy was dropped by Hardik Pandya at 23, while Jaker survived a stumping chance off Ravindra Jadeja.

Jaker ended a 63-ball boundary drought with an exquisite on-drive off Harshit, followed by a sweep for another boundary and reached his second ODI fifty off 87 balls. Hridoy reached his fifty in 85 balls, showcasing his attacking style with sixes off Kuldeep and Jadeja.

They set the record for the highest sixth-wicket partnership in the Champions Trophy and against India in ODIs. India eventually broke the partnership as Jaker fell to Shami, marking the veteran's 200th ODI wicket. Hridoy, despite struggling in the heat, secured his first ODI century in 114 balls.

Gill began India’s innings with two quick boundaries off Taskin Ahmed, while Rohit gradually found his rhythm with five boundaries, becoming the fourth Indian to surpass 11,000 ODI runs. Gill played a spectacular shot over cover for six, but Rohit fell for 41 after a mistimed shot.

As the ball aged and dew settled in, Bangladesh's spinners found turn, prompting Gill and Virat Kohli to adopt a more cautious approach. Kohli eventually found his first boundary but was dismissed shortly after.

Gill reached his fifty in 69 balls, his slowest in ODIs, as Shreyas Iyer narrowly avoided a run-out. Following a brief flurry of wickets, Gill and KL Rahul focused on steadying the innings, capitalizing on loose deliveries. Rahul's dropped catch by Jaker at deep square leg proved costly.

Gill and Rahul built a significant partnership, with Gill scoring a crucial century. Rahul finished the chase with a six, securing their fifth-wicket stand of 87 runs and ensuring India commenced their Champions Trophy campaign with a win.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 228 in 49.4 overs (Towhid Hridoy 100, Jaker Ali 68; Mohammed Shami 5-53, Harshit Rana 3-31) lost to India 231/4 in 46.3 overs (Shubman Gill 101 not out, Rohit Sharma 41; Rishad Hossain 2-38, Taskin Ahmed 1-36) by six wickets.