DUBAI: India defeated Bangladesh by six wickets thanks to a brilliant century from Shubman Gill and a five-wicket haul from Mohammed Shami in the second match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
India easily chased a modest total of 229 runs with a loss of four wickets with 21 balls remaining at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Men in Blue had a strong start thanks to the opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who put together a 69-run partnership. In a record-breaking knock that included seven fours, Sharma scored 41 runs before leaving in the last over of the powerplay.
Virat Kohli joined Gill at the crease and they established a 43-run partnership. Kohli left after hitting just one four and scoring 22 off 38 balls. Following his dismissal, Bangladesh had a slim chance at 144/4 in 30.1 overs after taking two more wickets in short succession.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, was as careless on the field and failed to create an impression with the bat, losing important run-out opportunities and dropping vital catches.
Gill continued his majestic strokeplay and reached his 8th ODI century. He and KL Rahul put on an unbeaten 87-run stand on the fifth wicket, guiding India to a convincing victory against Bangladesh.
Rahul played a composed innings, scoring 41 off 47 balls with the help of two big sixes and one elegant four, while Gill scored 101, striking nine fours and two sixes.
Rishad Hossain was the only silver lining for Bangladesh, taking two wickets for 38 in his ten overs.
Earlier, Towhid Hridoy scored a ton as Bangladesh set a 229-run target for India.
The right-handed batter was the last to fall after scoring 100 off 118 balls and Bangladesh were bundled out for 228 in 49.4 overs.
Bangladesh were off to a disastrous start as Mohammed Shami dismissed Soumya Sarkar on duck in the very first over of the inning.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was the next to depart. He also scored a two-ball duck, with the scoreboard showing 2/2 in 1.4 overs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz then joined opening batter Tanzid Hasan as the two looked to stabilise in the inning.
However, their short partnership ended with the dismissal of Miraz after scoring just five runs.
Tanzid Hasan’s 25-run knock was ended by Axar Patel in the eighth over of the inning.
Read more: WATCH: Axar Patel misses hat-trick during BAN v IND CT 2025 match
Wicketkeeping batter Mushfiqur Rahim was the third to score a duck in Bangladesh’s inning, leaving the side struggling at 35/5 in 8.3 overs against India in the Champions Trophy 2025 game.
Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali then joined hands to help Bangladesh set a respectable total.
The two stitched a 154-run partnership to take Bangladesh to 189 in 42.2 overs before Jaker Ali was dismissed for 68 off 114 balls.
For India, Mohammed Shami bagged a fifer, Harshit Rana took three wickets while Axer Patel picked up two wickets.
The sides will look to start their campaign on a high note before India take on Pakistan on February 23 while Bangladesh will travel to Pakistan to face the hosts in Rawalpindi on February 24.
India are playing their games in Dubai after the BCCI refused to send its team to Pakistan which is hosting the Champions Trophy 2025.
