India began their Champions Trophy campaign on a high note with a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh, thanks to a stellar five-wicket haul by Mohammed Shami and a composed century from Shubman Gill. The match, held in Dubai on Thursday, saw India efficiently chase down Bangladesh’s total of 228, finishing at 231/4 in 46.3 overs.
Gill’s Masterclass Leads India to Victory
Shubman Gill, ranked as the world’s No. 1 ODI batter, displayed immense maturity en route to his eighth ODI century. His unbeaten knock of 101 off 129 balls, decorated with nine boundaries and two sixes, underscored his growing stature in international cricket. While Gill’s innings was built on calculated aggression, it also showcased his ability to anchor a chase under testing conditions.
Chasing 229, India had a solid start with openers Rohit Sharma and Gill putting on 69 runs in just 9.5 overs. Rohit looked in good touch, smashing 41 off 36 balls before falling to pacer Taskin Ahmed while attempting a big shot. His dismissal slowed the momentum slightly, and as the pitch started to slow down, batting became a more arduous task.
Virat Kohli, who walked in at No. 3, was uncharacteristically cautious, taking 10 balls to open his account. While he found some rhythm, his stay was cut short at 22 when he was caught off an uppish cut to leg-spinner Rishad Hossain. The situation became slightly tense for India as quick wickets fell, including Axar Patel, who was promoted to No. 5, and Shreyas Iyer. At 144/4, Bangladesh sensed an opportunity to claw back into the match.
However, KL Rahul ensured there were no further stumbles. After surviving an early chance when Jaker Ali dropped him on nine, Rahul played a composed knock of 41 off 47 balls. His 87-run unbeaten stand with Gill sealed the win for India, showcasing his ability to stabilize an innings under pressure.
Bangladesh’s Struggle and Hridoy’s Heroics
Earlier, Bangladesh found themselves in deep trouble after electing to bat first. At 35/5, they were staring at a collapse, but a resilient partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali revived their innings. Hridoy’s maiden ODI century (100 off 118 balls) was a testament to his determination and skill. His innings, marked by calculated stroke play, provided much-needed stability.
Ali, too, played a vital supporting role with a patient 68 off 114 balls. The duo added 154 runs for the sixth wicket, taking Bangladesh to a respectable 228. Their partnership demonstrated composure under pressure, but it was not without its share of luck. Jaker was dropped on zero off his first delivery, denying Axar Patel a hat-trick after he had dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim and Tanzid Hasan off consecutive balls. Hridoy, too, received a reprieve when Hardik Pandya dropped him at mid-off while he was on 23. KL Rahul missed a stumping chance later, offering another lifeline.
Shami’s Brilliance with the Ball
One of the biggest positives for India was Mohammed Shami’s brilliant spell. The experienced pacer, who had faced scrutiny following an average home series against England, delivered when it mattered most. His spell of 5/53 not only broke Bangladesh’s backbone early on but also made him the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets.
Shami struck in the very first over, dismissing opener Soumya Sarkar. He followed it up with the wicket of Mehdy Hasan Miraz, who was brilliantly caught by Gill in the slips. His third breakthrough came when he broke the crucial stand between Hridoy and Ali, dismissing the latter. He added two more scalps to his tally, surpassing Zaheer Khan’s record to become India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC tournaments with 60 wickets.
Despite a few missed chances in the field, India’s bowling attack, led by Shami, ensured that Bangladesh never got too far ahead. Axar Patel also contributed with figures of 2/43, including his back-to-back dismissals early in the innings.
Looking Ahead
This victory serves as a confidence booster for India as they gear up for their highly anticipated clash against Pakistan at the same venue on February 23. With Gill in sublime form and Shami proving his mettle once again, India appears well-equipped to take on tougher challenges ahead.
As the tournament progresses, India will look to iron out minor fielding lapses and build on their strengths. For Bangladesh, while Hridoy’s ton and Ali’s resilience were positives, their top-order struggles remain a concern.
With the Champions Trophy heating up, all eyes will now be on India’s next encounter, where they will face a formidable Pakistan side in a high-stakes battle.