India’s inaugural contest in Champions Trophy 2025, the IND vs BAN match delivered an exciting game of cricket. With Shubman Gill’s brilliant century and Md. Shami’s excellent fifer, India chasing down 229 with 21 balls to spare triumphed over Bangladesh in a dominating way.
Held on 20th February 2025 at the stunning Dubai International Stadium the match witnessed some exhilarating performances from both sides. Winning the toss, Bangladesh elected to bat first on Dubai’s batting-friendly pitch, aiming to set a competitive target for India.
Champions Trophy 2025: IND vs BAN Match Highlights
Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat on a slow, worn-out pitch where run-scoring was tough. Their innings crumbled early, slipping to 35 for 5 as India capitalized on the conditions. Axar Patel threatened with a hat-trick, dismissing Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim before Rohit Sharma dropped the crucial third chance.
Despite early setbacks, Towhid Hridoy anchored the innings with a fighting century, capitalizing on dropped catches and forming a record-breaking sixth-wicket stand with Jaker Ali. Hridoy battled through cramps and, aided by a late cameo from Rishad Hossain, steered Bangladesh to a competitive 228. Shami, returning from injury, showcased his class with figures of 5 for 53, becoming the fastest to 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled.
Rohit-Gill Set the Stage for a Dominating Chase
India’s chase began briskly with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill racing to a 69-run opening stand. Rohit, continuing his aggressive approach, fell for 41 off 36 balls just before the field spread. Post his dismissal, scoring slowed considerably.
However, Virat Kohli, struggling to find gaps, fell to legspinner Rishad Hossain, extending his recent struggles against spin. Shreyas Iyer showed promise but perished for 15, misjudging a slower ball. Promoted up the order to break the right-hand sequence, Axar Patel’s attempt to accelerate ended with a mistimed slog.
Gill, who was on 26 off 23 when Rohit departed, adapted to the deteriorating pitch. He reached his slowest ODI fifty, focusing on singles and careful strokeplay. Bangladesh’s spinners tightened the screws, but Gill remained patient, waiting until the 32nd over to find another boundary. As the innings progressed, he switched gears, needing 12 runs from 19 balls to reach his hundred. Facing Tanzim Hasan, Gill struck a six and a four to reach the milestone off 125 balls, raising his bat to acknowledge the crowd.
KL Rahul, initially shaky and dropped early in his innings, stabilized the chase alongside Gill. He sealed the win with a six off Tanzim, ensuring India secured full points despite the absence of a net-run-rate boost. Both sides were left to ponder missed opportunities: Bangladesh rued dropped catches and a misfiring top order, while India reflected on sloppy fielding, highlighted by three missed chances that allowed Bangladesh to post a defendable total.
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Heroic Performances by Shami and Shubman Bring the Victory Home
Shami’s heroics, returning from ankle surgery and knee issues, and Gill’s calculated innings stood out as defining factors. While India avoided a repeat of their failed chases against Sri Lanka last year, the match underscored areas for improvement, especially with tougher fixtures ahead. For Bangladesh, Hridoy’s resilience offered a silver lining despite the loss.
In Group A standings, India joined New Zealand with two points, trailing on net run rate, while Bangladesh and Pakistan remained winless after their opening matches. With this hard-fought victory, India survived what could have been a banana peel, setting the tone for their Champions Trophy campaign.