DUBAI: India made a strong start to their ICC Champions Trophy campaign with a convincing six-wicket victory over Bangladesh, successfully chasing a target of 229 runs, courtesy of a brilliant century by Shubman Gill at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
In the second match of the ICC tournament, India took command of the match with a swift onslaught, reducing Bangladesh to a modest 228 runs.
The men in blue then pursued the target, completing the chase in 46.3 overs with unbeaten young opener Shubman Gill scoring 101 off 129 balls.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, alongside Shubman Gill, launched the innings with a solid partnership of 69 runs off 59 deliveries. However, Sharma fell to Taskin Ahmed, scoring 41 runs from 36 balls.
Rohit Sharma achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the second-fastest player to amass 11,000 runs in ODIs, reaching the landmark in 261 innings, trailing only Virat Kohli, who accomplished it in 222 innings.
Virat Kohli went early accumulating only 22 runs on 38 balls. Shreyas Iyer went to the pavilion making 15 off 17, while Axar Patel made 8 off 12.
Later, KL Rahul joined Gill to steer India to a comfortable chase. Rahul went unbeaten 41 off 47 balls. Shubman Gill was the top scorer for India making his 8th ton in ODI’s.
Bangladesh posted a 229-run target against India with the help of Towhid Hridoy’s ton and Jaker Ali’s fifty.
India’s Virat Kohli equalled a national record, when in the 43rd over, Jaker attempted to take on Shami, but could only sky his shot.
Kohli completed a simple catch at long-on, his second of the match and 156th in ODIs – equalling Mohammad Azharuddin’s Indian record for catches by an outfielder (i.e. non-wicketkeeper) in the format.
Muhammad Shami took five wickets to become the joint second-quickest bowler to achieve 200 wickets in 104 ODI’s sharing with Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq. Only Mitchell Starc of Australia has achieved this milestone in 102 matches.
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One of the frontrunners for the 2025 Champions Trophy, India’s bowlers showcased their dominance from the outset, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 39 for 5 within the first ten overs.
Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana struck early, each claiming a wicket in the opening two overs before Shami added another to his tally.
The early onslaught left Bangladesh in dire straits. Axar Patel nearly secured a hat-trick, but a dropped catch by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in the slips thwarted his efforts.
Despite the rocky start, Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali forged a commendable partnership of 154 off 206 balls, helping their team steady the ship after the tumultuous first 20 overs in this crucial ICC Champions Trophy encounter.
Towhid Hridoy achieved his first ODI century off 114 balls, featuring six boundaries and two sixes.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first.
India are playing their matches in the 50-over tournament in the United Arab Emirates after refusing to tour hosts Pakistan over political tensions.
Bangladesh are underdogs in Group A, which also includes Pakistan and New Zealand.
Bangladesh named three seamers, led by young pace sensation Nahid Rana, and two spinners.
India, captained by Rohit Sharma, made two changes from their last ODI win against England in a 3-0 sweep last week.
Pace bowler Mohammed Shami and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja come in for Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy.
India’s Shubman Gill was named Man of the Match for his crucial innings of 101 runs off 129 balls.
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 60 runs in Karachi on Wednesday to open the tournament.
Bangladesh Playing XI
Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
India Playing XI
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (RSA), Paul Reiffel (AUS)
TV Umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Match Referee: David Boon (AUS)
