India kicked off their ICC Champions Trophy campaign with a composed six-wicket win against Bangladesh in Dubai. Mohammed Shami’s brilliant five-wicket haul dismantled Bangladesh’s top order before Shubman Gill anchored India’s chase with a patient century, ensuring a steady start to the tournament.
Shami’s Early Strikes Put India on Top
Bangladesh, having opted to bat first, struggled from the outset as Shami’s disciplined bowling tore through their lineup. He finished with figures of 5 for 53, reaching a historic milestone as the fastest bowler to claim 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled. His fiery opening spell reduced Bangladesh to 35 for 5 before a counterattack from Towhid Hridoy (100) and Jaker Ali (68) helped them reach a respectable 228.
Axar Patel also played a key role, taking two wickets in quick succession and nearly securing a hat-trick—denied only by Rohit Sharma’s dropped catch. Bangladesh, aided by some reprieves, managed to post a fighting total but fell short of the ideal target on a sluggish pitch.
Gill Anchors India’s Chase
India started aggressively, with Rohit Sharma (41 off 36) and Gill stitching a 69-run opening stand. However, Bangladesh’s spinners soon applied pressure, leading to a middle-order slowdown. Virat Kohli (19), Shreyas Iyer (15), and Axar Patel (9) fell cheaply as India’s scoring rate dipped.
Gill, however, adjusted to the conditions, curbing his aggressive instincts to build a steady innings. His 101* off 129 balls was India’s slowest ODI century in six years, but it ensured a comfortable chase. KL Rahul (41*) provided solid support, sealing the win with a six with 21 balls to spare.
Key Takeaways
- Shami’s brilliance: His sixth ODI five-for reaffirmed his class, especially after returning from injuries.
- Gill’s resilience: He adapted to the tricky pitch and stayed till the end to guide India home.
- Missed opportunities: Bangladesh’s dropped chances and slow start cost them a stronger total.
India, now second in Group A with two points, will look to build momentum in their next match, while Bangladesh will need to regroup to stay in contention.
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