Thu Feb 20 08:50:00 UTC 2025: ## India Dominates Bangladesh in Champions Trophy Opener
**Dubai, February 20, 2025** – India made a stunning start to their Champions Trophy campaign, bowling out Bangladesh for a paltry 51 runs for 5 wickets in 13 overs. Bangladesh, winning the toss and electing to bat first, collapsed under pressure from the Indian bowlers.
Opener Soumya Sarkar was the first to go, caught by KL Rahul off Mohammed Shami for a golden duck. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto followed soon after, caught by Virat Kohli off Harshit Rana. Mehdi Hasan Miraz (5) was dismissed by Gil, caught off Shami’s bowling. The significant breakthrough came when Axar Patel took two quick wickets, including Tanzid Hasan (25) and Mushfiqur Rahim (0), both caught by Rahul off edges. Axar almost secured a hat-trick, but Rohit Sharma dropped a catch off the next ball, sparing Jakir Ali.
At the close of play, Tauhid Hridoy (10) and Jakir Ali (8) were at the crease. India’s impressive bowling performance was led by Shami, Rana, and the impactful Axar Patel. The absence of Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy did not hinder India’s dominance.
**Playing XIs:**
**India:** Rohit Sharma (capt.), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami.
**Bangladesh:** Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt.), Tauhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Jakir Ali, Mehdi Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman.
First Piper 