Picture : BCCI/ X
India began their quest for the Champions Trophy 2025 in style as they beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets in their first outing at the Dubai International cricket stadium.
Earlier, Bangladesh Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat first on good batting surface . But to the surprise the Bangladesh batsmen let the team down. Especially the top order. And the team wobbled to a horror start – Soumya Sarkar ( 0) , Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto ( 0) , Mehidy Hasan Miraz ( 5) and Tanzid Hasan ( 25), Bangladesh were reeling at 35/5 in 8.3 overs. Experienced Mushfiqur Rahim ( 0).
But Bangladesh fought back well with a fighting hundred by Towhid Hridoy 100 ( 118 balls , 6 fours 2 sixes) and well supported By Jaker Ali 68 ( 114 balls, 4 fours) He was dropped on 0 by India Skipper Rohit Sharma thus denying Axar Patel a hat- trick. Sharma was livid with himself for dropping a sitter at first slip. Rishad Hossain ( 18 ) played a little cameo as Bangladesh from dire straits recovered well to eventually be bowled out for 228 in 49. 4 overs.
India Bowling . Mohammed Shami impressed on a comeback with 5/ 53 ( 10 overs) , Harshit Rana 3/ 31 ( 7. 4 overs), Axar Patel 2/ 43( 9 overs) , Hardik Pandya 0/ 20 ( 4 overs), Kuldeep Yadav 0/ 43 ( 10 overs), Ravindra Jadeja 0/ 37 ( 9 overs)
In reply India got off to a flier. Skipper Rohit Sharma set the tone of the innings with a fiery start 41 ( 36 balls , 7 fours) he would be disappointed with the way he got out. The stage was set for big innings. But that was not to be. Superstar Virat Kohli too missed out a big opportunity out for 22 . Shreyas Iyer ( 15), Axar Patel ( 8) fell.
But Shubman Gill, the deputy played according to situation and anchored the innings well to hammer a superb unbeaten 101 ( 129 balls, 12 fours, 2 sixes). K L Rahul survived a drop catch at 9 and few close run-out chances to score a crucial unbeaten 41 ( 47 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes. As India romped home to reach 231 / 4 in 46. 3 overs and win by six wickets.
Bangladesh would be left rueing their top order collapse had it not flopped they could have run India hard. But that was not to be . Their bowlers tried hard . But the Indian batting despite wobble has the depth. And it was proved here
Bangladesh bowling : Taskin Ahmed 1/ 36 ( 9 overs) , Mustafizur Rahman 1/ 62 ( 9 overs) , Tanzim Hasan Sakib 0/ 58 ( 8.3 overs) , Mehidy Hasan Miraz 0/ 37 ( 10 overs) , Rishad Hossain 2/ 38 ( 10 overs)
Match: Champions Trophy, 2nd Match
Venue: Dubai | Date: Feb 20, 2025
