Thu Feb 20 15:32:53 UTC 2025: ## India Favored to Win Against Bangladesh in ICC Champions Trophy Opener

**Dubai, UAE** – India will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign today against Bangladesh in a highly anticipated match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match, starting at 2:30 PM IST, is expected to be a closely fought contest despite India being the favorites.

India enters the match on the back of a clean sweep against England in a recent ODI series. Captain Rohit Sharma is expected to field three spinners – Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel – alongside pacers Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh, with Hardik Pandya providing a sixth bowling option. The Dubai pitch is anticipated to favor spin bowling, a factor that could benefit both teams.

However, Bangladesh poses a significant threat. They notably defeated India in a Super-4 match during the 2023 Asia Cup, winning by a narrow 6 runs. A previous close ODI series defeat to Bangladesh also serves as a reminder of the underdog’s capacity for upsets.

**Possible Playing Elevens:**

**India:** Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.

**Bangladesh:** Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehdi Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Zakir Ali/Towhid Hridoy, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanjim Sakib/Mustafizur Rahman.

**Match Update (Partial):** At the time of this report, India’s score is 151/4 after 19 overs, needing 78 runs to win. Shubman Gill (61 runs) and KL Rahul (2 runs) are at the crease. India lost their fourth wicket in the 31st over, with Axar Patel dismissed for 8 runs by Rishad Hossain (Rishad’s second wicket). Earlier wickets included Shreyas Iyer (15) and Virat Kohli (22), leaving India needing 95 runs to win after 26 overs. The match is ongoing.

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