Shubman Gill displayed remarkable composure with his eighth ODI century, while Mohammed Shami delivered an exceptional five-wicket haul, leading India to a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener in Dubai on Thursday.
Gill’s unbeaten 101 off 129 balls (9×4, 2×6) mirrored Towhid Hridoy’s resilient 100 off 118 balls, which helped Bangladesh recover from a precarious 35 for five to post a competitive total of 228. However, India efficiently chased down the target, reaching 231 for four in 46.3 overs, thanks to Gill’s steady knock and crucial partnerships.
This victory sets the stage for India’s much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 23 at the same venue.
Shubman Gill’s Composed Century Anchors India’s Chase
Ranked as the world’s No. 1 ODI batter, Gill once again proved his worth with an innings marked by patience and precision rather than extravagant stroke play. His ability to anchor the innings highlights his growing stature as a key player in India’s new generation of cricketers.
Chasing a modest target of 229, Indian openers Rohit Sharma (41 off 36) and Gill provided a solid foundation, stitching a quick 69-run partnership in just 9.5 overs. However, Rohit fell to Taskin Ahmed while attempting an aggressive shot, leaving India at 69 for one.
Virat Kohli started cautiously, taking ten balls to get off the mark before eventually departing for 22 after miscuing a shot off leg-spinner Rishad Hossain. India faced a minor setback when Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer were dismissed in quick succession, reducing them to 144 for four.
KL Rahul, dropped on nine by Jaker Ali off Taskin, ensured stability with an unbeaten 41 off 47 balls. Alongside Gill, he put together an unbroken 87-run partnership for the fifth wicket, steering India safely to victory.
Mohammed Shami’s Five-Wicket Haul Bolsters India’s Bowling Attack
Shami played a pivotal role in India’s bowling dominance, alleviating concerns over the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. His brilliant spell of five for 53 made him the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets and surpassed Zaheer Khan’s record for the most wickets by an Indian in ICC tournaments.
Shami struck early, dismissing Soumya Sarkar in the first over. His second breakthrough came soon after when Mehdy Hasan Miraz edged one to Shubman Gill in the slips. The Bengal pacer later ended the resilient sixth-wicket partnership between Hridoy and Ali by removing the latter.
Shami continued his onslaught by taking two more wickets, showcasing his ability to make an impact on the big stage. His disciplined bowling on a slow yet even-paced pitch proved crucial in restricting Bangladesh to a manageable total.
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Bangladesh’s Fightback Led by Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali
After a disastrous start at 35 for five, Bangladesh staged a commendable recovery through the efforts of Hridoy and Jaker Ali. Their 154-run stand for the sixth wicket gave Bangladesh a fighting chance, with Hridoy crafting a well-paced century off 114 balls.
Despite some fielding lapses by India, including missed chances by Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and KL Rahul, Bangladesh’s lower-order fightback added a semblance of competitiveness to the game. However, the Indian bowling attack, led by Shami, ensured that their total remained within reach.
India’s strong all-round performance, led by Gill’s composed century and Shami’s fiery spell, marks a promising start to their Champions Trophy campaign as they look forward to their high-voltage match against Pakistan.