DUBAI – India kicked off their Champions Trophy campaign with a dominant performance, defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a thrilling match in Dubai, courtesy of Shubman Gill who slammed a ton.
After a disciplined bowling performance from the Indian team, which restricted their opponents to a modest total of 229, the chase was set up perfectly for the batting side. Rahul’s composed knock, combined with solid contributions from the rest of the batsmen, ensured India’s smooth passage to victory.
With meagre start, India comfortably chased down a target of 229 runs against Bangladesh, securing a four-wicket victory with 21 balls to spare in their latest encounter. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill anchores 69-run partnership, skipper was dismissed for 41 off 36 balls, leaving the team at 69.
Gill then partnered with star player Virat Kohli, but latter made 22 off 38 balls, but India lost two quick wickets and found themselves at 144/4 in 30.1 overs.
Seasoned hitter KL Rahul then joined Gill at the crease, and the duo steadied the ship with an unbeaten 87-run partnership. Gill played a captain’s knock, remaining unbeaten on 101 off 129 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. Rahul supported him well, making 41 from 47 balls, and together they guided India to victory.
For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets, while Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman each took one.
In first innings, Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali put on a 154-run partnership to help Bangladesh recover. Shami eventually dismissed Ali for 68 runs in the 43rd over, but Hridoy continued his determined innings, completing a century despite battling through cramps. Hridoy became the fifth Bangladeshi batter to score a century in the Champions Trophy, joining an elite list that includes Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahriar Nafees, and Mahmudullah.
Mohammed Shami five-wicket haul (5/53) was the highlight of India’s bowling performance, while Harshit Rana took three wickets, and Axar Patel claimed one. Despite the late resistance from Hridoy and Ali, India bowled out Bangladesh for 228, and now requires 229 runs to win the match.
India vs Bangladesh Squad
Bangladesh Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Towhid Hridoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Nahid Rana
India squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.
