The much-anticipated 2nd match of Group A in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 saw India secure a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh, after opting to bat first, posted a modest total of 228 in 49.4 overs, which was comfortably chased down by India in 46.3 overs, thanks to a solid batting performance led by Shubman Gill and KL Rahul.
Match Summary
Match Details:
- Fixture: India vs Bangladesh, 2nd Match, Group A, ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Date: February 20, 2025
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- Toss: Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat
- Result: India won by 6 wickets
- Player of the Match: Shubman Gill
Bangladesh Innings: Struggles from the Start
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bangladesh found themselves in early trouble, losing wickets in quick succession. The Indian bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana, dismantled the Bangladeshi top order within the first 10 overs.
Top Performers – Bangladesh Batting:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaker Ali | 68 | 114 | 4 | 0 | 59.65 |
| Towhid Hridoy | 100 | 118 | 6 | 2 | 84.75 |
| Rishad Hossain | 18 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 150.00 |
| Taskin Ahmed | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
Key Bowling Performances – India:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Mohammed Shami | 10 | 53 | 5 | 5.30 |
| Harshit Rana | 7.4 | 31 | 3 | 4.00 |
| Axar Patel | 9 | 32 | 2 | 4.80 |
Early Collapse:
Bangladesh’s innings began on a disastrous note as they lost their top three batters within the first two overs:
- Soumya Sarkar (0 off 5) was dismissed in the first over by Mohammed Shami.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto, the captain, fell soon after for a duck, caught by Virat Kohli.
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5 off 10) followed soon after, making it 26/3 in 6.2 overs.
Towhid Hridoy’s Lone Resistance:
- Towhid Hridoy played a valiant 100-run knock off 118 balls, stitching a crucial 154-run partnership with Jaker Ali (68 off 114) to resurrect the innings.
- However, their stand ended when Jaker Ali fell to Shami in the 42nd over.
Late Collapse:
- The remaining batters couldn’t provide much resistance as Bangladesh lost their last 5 wickets for just 39 runs.
- Shami claimed his five-wicket haul, finishing with remarkable figures of 5/53 in 10 overs.
- Bangladesh was bowled out for 228 in 49.4 overs.
India’s Chase: Shubman Gill & KL Rahul Lead the Way
India started their chase in dominant fashion, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill giving a steady start. Although Rohit fell early, Gill’s composed 101 off 129 balls* ensured India’s comfortable win.
Top Performers – India Batting:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
| Shubman Gill | 101* | 129 | 9 | 2 | 78.29 |
| KL Rahul | 41* | 47 | 2 | 2 | 87.23 |
| Rohit Sharma | 41 | 36 | 7 | 1 | 113.89 |
| Virat Kohli | 22 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 57.89 |
Bangladesh’s Bowling Struggles:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Rishad Hossain | 10 | 38 | 2 | 3.80 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 9 | 62 | 1 | 6.90 |
| Taskin Ahmed | 9 | 36 | 1 | 4.00 |
Early Momentum:
- Rohit Sharma looked in great touch, scoring 41 off 36 balls before falling to Taskin Ahmed.
- Shubman Gill anchored the chase while Virat Kohli contributed a patient 22 off 38.
Middle-Order Contributions:
- Shreyas Iyer fell cheaply for 15 off 17 balls, dismissed by Mustafizur.
- Axar Patel (8 off 12) fell to Rishad Hossain, but the required run rate remained under control.
Clinical Finish:
- Shubman Gill and KL Rahul calmly guided India home, finishing the chase with 23 balls to spare.
Key Takeaways from the Match
India’s Strengths:
- Dominant Bowling Attack:
- Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul dismantled Bangladesh’s batting order.
- Harshit Rana’s three crucial wickets added to the pressure.
- Shubman Gill’s Masterclass:
- His 101 off 129 balls* was a match-winning knock.
- Strong Opening Partnership:
- Rohit Sharma’s aggressive start set the tone.
- KL Rahul’s finishing ability proved vital.
Concerns for Bangladesh:
- Top-Order Failure:
- Bangladesh lost 5 wickets within the first 10 overs, which put them on the back foot.
- Ineffective Bowling Attack:
- Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed were expensive.
- Spinners couldn’t provide breakthroughs.
- Lack of Middle-Order Support:
- Towhid Hridoy’s century was the only notable contribution.
- No other batter scored more than 70.
Conclusion
India’s victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 showcased their superior bowling, disciplined batting, and all-round performance. Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 101 and Shami’s five-wicket haul were the highlights of the game. With this win, India has strengthened its position in Group A, while Bangladesh will need to reassess their strategies to stay in contention for the knockout stages.
The cricketing world now eagerly awaits India’s next clash, where they will look to continue their winning momentum, while Bangladesh will need to bounce back stronger in their upcoming fixtures.
