Thu Feb 20 15:10:00 UTC 2025: ## India Cruises to Victory Over Bangladesh in Champions Trophy Opener
**Dubai, UAE –** India launched their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a resounding 6-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20th. A stellar century by Shubman Gill (101 not out) and a five-wicket haul by Mohammad Shami propelled India to victory.
Bangladesh, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, suffered a disastrous start, losing 5 wickets for just 35 runs. However, a stunning 154-run partnership between Towhid Hridoy (100) and Zakir Ali (68) for the sixth wicket resurrected their innings, eventually guiding them to a total of 228. This partnership was the highest ever sixth-wicket stand against India in ODIs.
Shami’s exceptional bowling figures of 5 for 53 marked his sixth ODI five-wicket haul, his fifth in an ICC tournament. This achievement also saw him become the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets. He received support from Harshit Rana (3 wickets) and Axar Patel (2 wickets).
In response, India chased down the target with relative ease in 46.3 overs, losing only four wickets. Gill’s match-winning century, studded with nine fours and two sixes, was the cornerstone of India’s successful chase. Captain Rohit Sharma (41), Virat Kohli (22), Shreyas Iyer (15), Axar Patel (8), and KL Rahul (41*) also contributed significantly to the total.
The win puts India one step closer to the semi-finals and marks a strong start to their Champions Trophy defence.
First Piper 