New Delhi: India will be aiming to kick start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a win when they lock horns with Bangladesh in their opening game of the multi-nation tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Thursday, February 20. Rohit Sharma & Co. will start the tournament as one of the favourites for the title as they are one of the strongest teams on paper.
India warmed up in style for the Champions Trophy 2025 with a 3-0 thrashing of England in the recently concluded ODI series at home. They will be looking to continue the winning momentum against Bangladesh. Though Jasprit Bumrah’s absence is likely to be felt, India would rely on their batting prowess and depth in their bowling to go all the way in the tournament.
However, India will be wary of not taking Bangladesh lightly in their opening clash as the Tigers can stage an upset even the best of the teams on their day. India clean swept Bangladesh in both Tests and T20I series at home last year and will be looking to repeat the feat when the two teams go up against each other in Dubai on Thursday.
3 things India need to be wary of in Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh:
1) The spin factor in Dubai
Though conditions in Dubai have traditionally been favourable for the spinners, the match between India and Pakistan will be played on a fresh track on Thursday which means there will be something on offer for the pacers in the game with the new ball. However, spin is expected to be the major decisive factor in the game.
India’s premier batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have both had their fair share of struggles against spin in the recent past. While the challenge for Rohit will also be to negate the new ball threat, he will be expected to come good in the middle overs if he has to play a big knock. Indian batters will have to tackle the Bangladesh spinners well to gain an edge in the crucial encounter.
2) Bangladesh’s unpredictability can hurt India
Much like India’s arch-rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh are an unpredictable side and can be dangerous on their day. Bangladesh have given India tough competition in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup and will be hoping to take advantage of the conditions in UAE which will make them feel at home against the Men in Blue.
Indian batters will have a tough job at hand against the Bangladesh bowling attack which consists of the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz among others. The bowlers will also have to be on top of their game against the gritty Bangladesh unit which will be looking to put pressure on them in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
3) Bangladesh will look to make the most of Jasprit Bumrah’s absence
Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to a back injury and Bangladesh will be looking to make the most of the ace pacer’s absence. One of the best pacers in the world at present, Bumrah was the difference when India lifted the T20 World Cup last year. With Mohammed Shami not looking in great rhythm, India’s woes have been further amplified.
Harshit Rana has been roped in as Bumrah’s replacement and the young pacer did well in his maiden ODI series against England at home. However, the Champions Trophy will be a different ball game altogether considering every game will be a virtual knockout. The likes of Rana and Arshdeep will have to shoulder the majority of wicket-taking responsibilities in Bumrah’s absence if India are fancy their chances in the tournament.
Team India will lock horns with Bangladesh in their opening game of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Thursday. Here is a look at three reasons why India need to be wary of Bangladesh in the opening clash. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
