Shami, Gill star as India trumps Bangladesh

India’s Shubman Gill celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) throughout the ICC Champions Trophy one-day worldwide (ODI) cricket match between Bangladesh and India on the Dubai Worldwide Stadium in Dubai on February 20, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score: AFP

Shubman Gill’s earlier three scores coming into the Champions Trophy learn: 87, 60 and 112 (all in opposition to England). On Thursday, the 25-year-old continued his purple patch as he smashed his eighth ODI hundred (101 n.o, 129b, 9×4, 2×6) to assist India kickstart its Champions Trophy marketing campaign with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium.

In pursuit of a modest goal of 229, Gill confirmed why he’s the top-ranked batter within the format as he expertly shepherded the chase and carried his bat by means of.

He was aggressive within the PowerPlay after which hunkered right down to navigate the difficult center part well when the spinners operated, making certain the Males in Blue received its marketing campaign off to a profitable begin.

The victory, although, was in no small measure arrange by the bowlers led by Mohammed Shami (10-0-53-5), who scalped his sixth five-wicket haul to limit Bangladesh to 228.

On a pitch that was on the slower facet, it was crucial to maximise the PowerPlay and openers Rohit Sharma and Gill received India off to a flyer, scoring 69 within the first 10 overs.

After beginning tentatively in opposition to Mustafizur Rahman, Rohit took the left-arm pacer to the cleaners, smoking him for seven boundaries with some serene pictures by means of the sq. on the off-side.

Gill was to not be left behind, pulling the fiery Tanzim Hasan for a six after which charging right down to loft him over covers.

However Bangladesh received again into the competition by means of its spinners Rishad Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who squeezed the runs dry throughout the middle-overs.

Najmul Hossain Shanto’s males had a small opening within the sport when India misplaced three wickets for 22 runs and was in a spot of trouble at 144 for 4.

Nonetheless, Gill and Okay.L. Rahul who reaffirmed his standing because the finisher by stroking a measured unbeaten 41 – stitched an unbroken 87-run stand for the fifth wicket to take their facet residence.

Rescue job

Earlier, it was an innings of two halves for the Tigers, whose top-order simply crumbled contained in the PowerPlay earlier than Towhid Hridoy (100) and Jaker Ali (68) repaired the harm by forging a masterful 154-run alliance for the sixth wicket.

Electing to bat, Bangladesh received off on the incorrect foot, dropping two wickets within the first two overs. Issues went pear-shaped within the ninth over when Axar Patel struck off consecutive deliveries to take away Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim to depart the Males in Inexperienced tottering at 35 for 5.

It might have been even worse had Rohit not fumbled an easy likelihood off the very subsequent supply at first slip, which gave Jaker a reprieve and denied Axar a hat-trick.

With their backs to the wall, Hridoy and Jaker confirmed nice utility, trying to bat 50 overs with out attempting something extravagant.

As soon as he crossed 50, Hridoy seamlessly shifted gears, gathering 30 runs off the subsequent 14 deliveries, raining sixes and fours. As he neared his landmark, the 24-year-old began cramping up badly, limping throughout the pitch, however ultimately received there within the penultimate over.

Although his efforts gave one thing for his facet to bowl at, it was by no means going to be sufficient in opposition to a robust Indian batting line-up.