India Crushes Bangladesh to Begin ICC Champions Trophy on a High

India has begun the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in style. The men in blue opened their campaign with a win over subcontinent rivals Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma and Co. chased down a low target on a tricky pitch in Dubai. This win puts India behind New Zealand in the group.

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India is looking to win the crown after a disappointing loss against Pakistan in the 2017 final. India was drawn in a decent group with co-hosts Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma lost the toss and his side was asked to bowl first. The Indian skipper was thinking about the same.

India: Spin heavy

There were a few questions raised on team selection, especially in the bowling department. Harshit Rana got the nod ahead of in-form Arshdeep Singh. India decided to play with only two fast bowlers, one spinner, and three all-rounders. Kuldeep Yadav got a chance ahead of Varun.

Tough start for the Bangla Tigers

Bangladesh chose to bat but the decision worked against them. Mohammed Shami has been a lethal white ball bowler over the years. It took him just six balls to take the first wicket. Soumya Sarkar was dismissed on a duck. Skipper Shanto was the next one to get out and that too in the second over of the innings. Bangladesh were 2 for 2 in 2 overs.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was Shami’s second wicket. Axar Patel was given the ball in the ninth over. The left-arm spinner backed two wickets in two balls. Bangladesh were 35 for five inside 10 overs. Axar could have taken a hat-trick but Rohit dropped Jaker Ali in slip.

Hridoy, Jaker Ali help Bangladesh reach a respectable total

With only two batters left, Bangladesh needed a good knock from both these players. Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali stood at the wicket for 34 more overs. They created a massive partnership of 154 runs. Hridoy went on to score a magnificent hundred. He was injured in the last part of the innings but was able to add 100 to the team’s total. Ali scored 68 before giving his wicket to Shami. The fast bowler took five wickets. Harshit Rana chipped with three and Axar took the other two wickets.

Flying starts but collapses in the middle

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave a fast start to the Indian team. The opening pair stood for the first 10 overs and scored 69 runs. Rohit scored 41 runs before getting out. Gill continued his stay and was joined by Virat Kohli. The duo created a 43-run partnership before Kohli fell into the trap of leg spinner, Rishad Hossain. Kohli scored 22 runs.

Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel also failed to put runs to the team’s total. Iyer scored 15 and Axar scored just eight runs. However, Shubman stood at the crease and scored runs from the other end. He along with KL Rahul created an 87-run stand for the fifth wicket. Both players took India over the line.

Gill scored an unbeaten 101 and KL Rahul added 41 runs. KL hit a six to finish the game and India won by six wickets.