• Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 101, leading India to a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener.
• Mohammed Shami claimed 5 wickets for 53 runs, helping dismiss Bangladesh for 228 runs after a shaky start at 35 for 5.
• India chased the target in 46.3 overs, with Gill ensuring they remained composed despite a challenging situation.
• Captain Rohit Sharma and opener Gill built a strong partnership, although India's batting faltered briefly.
• India's next match is against arch-rivals Pakistan, raising the stakes in the tournament.

In the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India showcased their cricketing dominance with a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh. The match, held at the Dubai International Stadium, featured a stellar performance from Shubman Gill, who anchored the chase with an unbeaten century, finishing on 101 from 129 balls. Touted as the favorite to win the tournament, India began their campaign on a high note, despite a few hiccups during the chase.

After Bangladesh set a target of 229 runs, early breakthroughs from India's pace spearhead, Mohammed Shami, who claimed five wickets, put them on the back foot at just 35 for 5, leading to their eventual total of 228 all out. This performance not only marked Shami's return to form but also allowed him to become the fastest Indian bowler to 200 ODI wickets, edging ahead of former ace Zaheer Khan. The match took a turn later as Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali produced a resilient 154-run stand that temporarily salvaged Bangladesh's innings, with Hridoy scoring a well-fought 100 and Jaker contributing significantly with 68 runs.

India's chase commenced strongly, with captain Rohit Sharma adding 41 runs to the tally. However, after Rohit was dismissed, India faced pressure as wickets fell at crucial moments. But thanks to Gill's calm demeanor and excellent batting technique, he shifted the momentum back in India's favor, steering the innings alongside KL Rahul, whose knock of 41 not out was pivotal. The innings was capped off in style when Rahul hit a six to secure the win with 21 balls to spare.

Looking back at the match, captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the team had experienced pressure during the chase but exhibited the seasoned composure needed in such high-stakes situations. Citing dropped catches earlier in the match, Rohit also humorously vowed to treat teammate Axar Patel to dinner after denying him a hat-trick opportunity, further emphasizing the camaraderie within the team. Rohit noted, “I should have taken that catch. You know the standard that I have set for myself standing in the slips." The dropped chances, while unfortunate, did not undermine India's performance, as Gill and Shami's contributions proved more than sufficient.

The victory sets the stage for India's next match against Pakistan, which promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams strive for supremacy in this prestigious tournament. Bangladesh's subsequent challenge will see them face New Zealand, seeking to bounce back from their opening loss. Such fixtures enhance the competitive spirit of the ICC Champions Trophy, which continues to attract global attention as a showcase of cricketing talent.

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