In a nerve-wracking Champions Trophy 2025 opener, India overcame a challenging chase to defeat Bangladesh by relying on Shubman Gill’s determined century and Mohammed Shami’s remarkable five-wicket haul. Chasing 229 on a sluggish surface in Lahore, India’s batting lineup was tested despite a strong start. Gill anchored the innings with his slowest One Day International (ODI) hundred, while Shami’s early breakthroughs dismantled Bangladesh’s top order, marking his sixth ODI five-for and fastest ascent to 200 wickets by balls bowled.
Shubman Gill battled hard to score his slowest ODI century — also India’s slowest in the past six years — guiding the team through a challenging chase of 229 on a sluggish pitch reminiscent of their 3-0 series loss to Sri Lanka on similar surfaces. Despite a brisk 69-run opening partnership, India faced stiff resistance while chasing the target set up by Mohammed Shami’s brilliance. The pacer claimed his sixth ODI five-wicket haul and became the fastest bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled.
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Missed Chances and Hridoy’s Heroics Highlight Champions Trophy Opener
Both teams will lament missed chances in their Champions Trophy opener. Winning a crucial toss on a worn pitch with no dew to ease chasing, Bangladesh faltered early, relying on three dropped catches and a valiant century from Towhid Hridoy to stay competitive. India had Bangladesh reeling at 35 for 5, with Axar Patel on a hat-trick, but Rohit Sharma’s missed sitter and two additional reprieves enabled a record-breaking sixth-wicket stand. This partnership propelled Bangladesh to a total that denied India a crucial net run-rate boost, potentially pivotal if they drop a game in their remaining three matches.
India, however, may view this as a narrow escape. Misreading conditions, they would have opted to field first had they won the toss. On a sluggish track offering no help to pacers, Bangladesh gifted early wickets through reckless strokes rather than disciplined bowling. The first three batters fell to ambitious shots against straightforward good-length deliveries with minimal movement.
Axar’s Early Strikes, Missed Chances, and Hridoy’s Grit Power Bangladesh to Competitive Total
Bangladesh were 35 for 3 when Axar Patel entered the attack in the ninth over. Tanzid Hasan, the only batter looking settled, misread the turn and edged out. Mushfiqur Rahim, perhaps batting too low at No. 6 in the absence of the injured Mahmudullah, played for the straighter one but fell to a rare delivery that spun. Axar’s hat-trick ball was slowed down, drawing an edge from Jaker Ali, only for Rohit Sharma to drop the catch.
Hardik Pandya soon missed another opportunity, dropping Towhid Hridoy on 23 off Kuldeep Yadav. Runs remained hard to come by on the sluggish surface, with over 10 overs passing without a boundary. Remarkably, India went wicketless through the middle overs — a first since the 2023 World Cup final. Jaker Ali offered another chance on 24, but KL Rahul missed a stumping off Ravindra Jadeja.
As the innings progressed, Hridoy and Jaker found rhythm, though Hridoy battled cramps. Mohammed Shami returned, exploiting the short leg-side boundary with clever slower balls to restrict boundaries and claim three more wickets. A late cameo from Rishad Hossain, combined with Hridoy’s determined innings despite physical discomfort, lifted Bangladesh to a competitive total.
Rohit’s Quick Start Fades as India Grind Past Bangladesh in Tricky Chase
Rohit Sharma maintained his recent trend of aggressive starts, with Shubman Gill matching him stroke for stroke as India raced past Bangladesh’s pace trio. However, just before the field restrictions lifted, Rohit perished for 41 off 36, attempting one final powerplay push. Scoring soon became a grind. Even the ever-reliable Virat Kohli struggled to find gaps before falling yet again to a leg-spinner — this time Rishad Hossain, a namesake twist on Rashid Khan.
Shreyas Iyer briefly adapted to the conditions but, after scoring a couple of boundaries off Mustafizur Rahman, overreached and chipped a slower delivery to mid-off, departing for 15 off 17. Promoted to break the right-hander sequence and boost the net run rate, Axar Patel mistimed a slog-sweep and fell to a Rishad topspinner.
India’s last three wickets fell for 75 runs over 20.2 overs, dragging the chase into tense territory. KL Rahul’s arrival should have steadied the ship, but he attempted an uncharacteristic heave early, only to be dropped by Jaker Ali — the very player Rahul had reprieved earlier. That proved to be Bangladesh’s final chance as India, despite mid-innings stumbles, exorcised memories of past failed chases on similar Sri Lankan pitches.
Gill’s Gritty Century Anchors India’s Chase as Rahul Seals Win in Style
Shubman Gill was the cornerstone of India’s chase, ensuring his presence until the end. He started briskly with 26 off 23 balls before Rohit Sharma’s dismissal prompted a shift in approach. Adapting to the slowing conditions, Gill tightened his game, opting for calculated risks. His next boundary didn’t come until the 32nd over, when the skiddy Tanzim Hasan returned, by which time he had registered his slowest ODI half-century.
Gill focused on accumulating singles against the spinners and the crafty Mustafizur Rahman, known for exploiting such conditions with deceptive slower balls. He scored just 30 runs off the 52 deliveries after Rohit’s exit, before gradually shifting gears. Needing 12 of the final 19 runs to reach his century, Gill cleared the ropes and followed it with a boundary off Tanzim, bringing up his hundred off 125 balls with his trademark bow. KL Rahul then sealed the win emphatically with a six off Tanzim, giving India victory with 21 balls to spare.
What’s Next?
India’s win sets up a high-stakes clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, 23rd February at the Dubai International Stadium, a fixture already buzzing with anticipation. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will aim to regroup before facing New Zealand on Monday, 24th February at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where they must address both batting consistency and fielding discipline
FAQs
How did Shubman Gill perform in India’s chase against Bangladesh?
Shubman Gill anchored the innings with a composed century (100 off 125 balls), his slowest ODI hundred, guiding India to victory with calculated risks and smart strike rotation.
What role did Axar Patel play in Bangladesh’s innings?
Axar Patel triggered Bangladesh’s early collapse with two quick wickets and nearly secured a hat-trick, but dropped catches allowed Bangladesh to recover.
How did Towhid Hridoy impact Bangladesh’s total?
Towhid Hridoy scored a fighting century despite battling cramps, helping Bangladesh post a competitive total after being 35 for 5.
What was Mohammed Shami’s contribution in the match?
Mohammed Shami claimed his sixth ODI five-wicket haul and became the fastest to 200 ODI wickets (in terms of balls bowled), restricting Bangladesh in the death overs.
How did India overcome their mid-innings struggle during the chase?
Despite losing quick wickets after a strong start, Gill’s patience, supported by KL Rahul’s late cameo, helped India recover and secure the win with 21 balls to spare.
