New Delhi: Team India began their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on a resounding note after beating Bangladesh by six wickets in Dubai on Thursday. Ace paceman Mohammed Shami sizzled for the Men in Blue with a fifer on what proved to be a record-breaking day for the veteran player, as he scripted multiple feats in the 50-over format while Shubman Gill proved to be the star in the chase.
Shami, who shined with the ball in the first innings, was ably supported by Harshit Rana (3 wickets) and Axar Patel (2 wickets) who also made significant contributions helping India restrict the Tigers for a moderate total of 228 runs in the Group A match. The chase was all about a masterclass from talented Gill, who smashed a blistering unbeaten century, his eighth in the format, to power India to a victory in 46.3 overs.
While Virat Kohli’s batting woes continued as he could just muster 22 runs in 38 balls, skipper Rohit Sharma (41) and seasoned KL Rahul (41 not out) fought the odds to extend their contribution in the convincing win. Shreyas Iyer failed to showcase his magic in the chase and faltered after scoring 15 runs but at the end, things turned out in India’s favour.
Early impressions from India’s CT win over Bangladesh
Mohammed Shami – Man for the big stage
Had it not been for the seasoned pacer’s pitch-perfect bowling, things could have turned in the favour of the opposition. Shami made a stunning return to the ICC event, after the ODI World Cup 2023 being his last marquee event presence, as he impressed everyone with his spectacular bowling. The veteran pacer proved the selectors right and also showcased the importance of his participation in a big ICC event. Shami has time and again proven his ability in the crucial events and he continued doing so exhibiting class, composure and wicket-taking ability that was expected from a player of his stature.
With his bowling figures of 5/53, he not only scripted multiple records in the 50-over format but most importantly filled in for the void left by injured Jasprit Bumrah, who is not among the participants in the Champions Trophy. Shami eased a lot of worries for the selectors, management and plethora of fans also becoming the fastest Indian bowler to pick 200 ODI wickets. The right-arm pacer, who had an average experience during the England T20Is and ODIs at home, proved that he is India’s man for the big stage.
Shubman Gill the artisan
During the pre-match press conference, skipper Rohit Sharma’s statement caught everyone’s attention after he said that there is a reason why Shubman Gill is the vice-captain of the team. Words can’t be enough to praise the immense talent, sensibility and maturity possessed by the 25-year-old Gill and he proves it right with every match he plays. His masterclass stole the limelight at the Dubai stadium on Thursday after he came up with a knock full of substance, helping India cross the finish line with 3 and half overs and 6 wickets to spare. This was his fourth consecutive innings in ODIs where he made a statement after he shined with the bat in the England ODIs smashing two half-centuries and a ton in the final game.
Navigating through various pressure points, including the surface which got a bit sluggish later on, Gill took stock of everything right through the innings and played the role of a chief architect sensibly for India. The Men in Blue would have drowned after the big wickets of skipper Rohit and Kohli with 119 runs more to get but the sensational Gill acted as the torchbearer. The talented right-handed batter utilised the first phase of powerplay to utmost perfection, contributing majorly even after India lost Rohit for 41.
With Kohli was playing extra cautiously and watchfully at the other end, Gill paced his innings with perfection giving it the perfect shape all through the match. The opening batter, after a nice first 10-15 overs slowed down in the chase, which was the need of the hour for India especially after they lost their third wicket in form of Shreyas Iyer, and then accelerated towards the last phase once he was able to sight the shore. Gill ended with a knock of 101 runs off 129 balls, which included 9 boundaries and 2 sixes and a strike rate of 78.29 which was not at all unimpressive.
Virat Kohli’s batting woes
After he got rid of the baggage during the England ODI series with a half-century, it seemed that star batter Virat Kohli will showcase his masterclass against Bangladesh, which was a perfect practice for him before the high-octane clash against arch-rivals Pakistan but he looked to be too circumspect during his lazy 38-ball 22-run knock. Kohli, who’s known for his fierce batting, was over-0verwatchful, smashing just a lone boundary during his short stay at the crease after taking as many as 10 deliveries to open his account.
While Rohit and Rahul, who have also been witnessing not the best time with respect to their batting, have managed to return to form to a certain extent but Kohli’s batting woes seem to be a never-ending affair. While the star batter struggled against the paceman in the red-ball format, succumbing repeatedly on the outside off-stump delivery, it was somewhat a similar sort of ball but bowled by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, which made him jittery. His anticipated move to come on the front foot and strike the ball didn’t work as an uppish cut ended his stay on the crease, breaking numerous hearts yet again.
India next face arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on February 23, Sunday.
India began their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign in utmost style after they beat Bangladesh by six wickets in Dubai on Thursday. Mohammed Shami and Shubman Gill sizzled for the Men in Blue. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
