India Kick Off Champions Trophy 2025 with Convincing Win Over Bangladesh

Top Headlines

Corbin Bosch Steps In as Mumbai Indians’ Replacement for Injured Lizaad Williams Ahead of IPL 2025

March 8, 2025 No Comments

UP Warriorz Stun Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a High-Scoring Thriller at WPL 2025

March 8, 2025 No Comments

Wiaan Mulder Replaces Injured Brydon Carse in IPL 2025

March 6, 2025 No Comments

Mushfiqur Rahim Bids Farewell to ODI Cricket

March 6, 2025 No Comments

Steve Smith announced retirement from ODI Cricket

March 5, 2025 No Comments

11:58 pm
February 20, 2025

The second match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, held on February 20, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, saw India launch their campaign with a composed six-wicket victory over Bangladesh. In a game that showcased resilience, standout individual brilliance, and a clinical team effort, the Men in Blue overcame a spirited Bangladeshi fightback to secure two crucial points in Group A, setting the stage for their blockbuster clash against Pakistan on February 23.

India Qualifies for the Final of Champions Trophy 2025

March 4, 2025 No Comments

Bangladesh Opt to Bat, Stumble Early

Under bright daylight in Dubai, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to set a challenging total on a surface expected to favor batting early on. However, their plans unraveled almost immediately against a disciplined Indian bowling attack led by Mohammed Shami. The veteran pacer, making a sensational return to ICC tournaments after a year-long injury layoff, struck twice in quick succession, dismissing opener Tanzid Hasan (7) and Shanto (4) to leave Bangladesh reeling at 15/2.

Debutant Harshit Rana joined the party by trapping Soumya Sarkar (8) lbw, and left-arm spinner Axar Patel turned the screws further with a devastating double blow. Patel dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim (0) and Mahmudullah (0) off consecutive deliveries in the ninth over, narrowly missing a hat-trick when Rohit Sharma dropped a regulation catch at slip off Towhid Hridoy’s bat. At 35/5 after 8.3 overs, Bangladesh’s decision to bat first looked like a grave miscalculation, with Shami (3/17 at that stage) and Patel (2/43) tearing through their top order.

Hridoy and Jaker Mount a Stunning Recovery

From the depths of despair, Bangladesh found heroes in Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali, who stitched together a record-breaking 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket—the highest for that position in Champions Trophy history and against India in ODIs. Hridoy, dropped on zero, made India pay with a gritty maiden ODI century, scoring 100 off 118 balls despite battling severe cramps that required on-field treatment. His knock blended caution with timely aggression, featuring elegant drives and lofted shots.

Jaker Ali complemented Hridoy with a mature 68 off 114 balls, stabilizing the innings when collapse seemed inevitable. Their defiance lifted Bangladesh to 189 before Shami returned to break the stand, dismissing Jaker in the 44th over. Shami’s relentless accuracy shone through as he completed a five-wicket haul (5/53), the second-best figures by an Indian in Champions Trophy history, finishing off the tail by catching Hridoy off Rana’s bowling in the final over. Bangladesh were bowled out for 228 in 49.4 overs—a total that seemed improbable earlier but gave their bowlers something to defend.

India’s Chase: Rohit Sets the Tone, Gill Seals the Deal

Chasing 229, India’s openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a blazing start, racing to 69 in just 9.5 overs. Rohit, in trademark aggressive mode, smashed 41 off 36 balls, including seven boundaries—three in a single over off Mustafizur Rahman—crossing the 11,000-run mark in ODIs in the process. However, Taskin Ahmed halted his charge, dismissing him just before the powerplay ended, giving Bangladesh a glimmer of hope.

Virat Kohli (22 off 38) and Shreyas Iyer (15) fell to leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who struck twice to spark a mini-wobble at 144/4 in the 31st over. Axar Patel’s brief stay (8) added to the tension, but Gill, the World No. 1 ODI batsman, stood firm. Displaying maturity beyond his years, Gill curbed his attacking instincts to anchor the chase, forging an unbeaten 87-run stand with KL Rahul (41* off 47). Rahul, preferred as wicketkeeper over Rishabh Pant, silenced doubters with a composed knock, sealing the win with a stylish six over backward square leg off Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the 47th over. Gill’s unbeaten 101 off 129 balls—his eighth ODI ton and second in succession—earned him the Player of the Match award.

Key Moments and Performances

Shami’s Fiery Comeback: With figures of 5/53, Shami not only became the fastest to 200 ODI wickets but also surpassed Zaheer Khan (59) as India’s leading wicket-taker in ICC ODI tournaments with 60 scalps.
Hridoy’s Resilience: His 100 under pressure, after surviving a dropped chance, showcased Bangladesh’s fighting spirit and potential as a dangerous unit.
Gill’s Masterclass: A century blending patience and precision underlined why he’s a cornerstone of India’s ODI setup.
Bangladesh’s Missed Opportunities: Despite a valiant recovery, their early collapse and inability to capitalize on India’s mid-innings stutter proved decisive.

What It Means for the Tournament

India’s victory propels them to second place in Group A with two points, trailing New Zealand (also on two points) due to a slightly inferior net run rate (+0.060 vs. +1.200). The win provides a confidence boost ahead of their high-stakes clash with Pakistan, while exposing areas—like catching—that need sharpening. For Bangladesh, the loss leaves them at the bottom of the group with a net run rate of -0.060, but their middle-order fightback signals they’re far from pushovers as they prepare to face New Zealand on February 24 in Rawalpindi.

India’s next challenge—the marquee showdown with Pakistan—looms large, with both teams desperate to assert dominance in Dubai. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will aim to harness Hridoy and Jaker’s momentum to upset the Kiwis. As the Champions Trophy 2025 unfolds, this opener reaffirmed India’s pedigree while hinting at Bangladesh’s growing resilience, promising more thrilling battles in the days ahead.