In their first Champions Trophy match, India easily defeated Bangladesh by six wickets, helped along by Mohammed Shami’s 5/53 and Shubman Gill’s outstanding century.
Following Mohammed Shami’s impressive five-wicket haul, Shubman Gill was more artisan than artist as he reached his eighth ODI hundred, helping India defeat Bangladesh by a workmanlike six wickets in their Champions Trophy opening in Dubai on Thursday. Towhid Hridoy’s 100 (118b), which helped Bangladesh reach 228 from 35 for five after batting by choice, was a mirror image of Gill’s undefeated innings (101, 129b, 9×4, 2×6). Gill’s solid knock, however, helped India overcome a number of pressure spots during their chase, including a slow surface, and they finished at 231 for four in 46.3 overs.Additionally, it’s a nerve-wracking win for India before their eagerly anticipated matchup with a more successful Pakistan at the same location on February 23.
It was greatly aided by Gill, the top ODI batsman in the world, who scored a century that was notable for its prudence rather than its usual flair.
It was also a reflection of his growing stature as India’s new generation batting star.
India got off to a fast start thanks to openers Rohit Sharma (41, 36b) and Gill, who chased a modest 229.
Before Rohit was dismissed by bowler Taskin Ahmed while trying a powerful heave, they had amassed 69 runs in 9.5 overs, putting India at 69 for 1.Since the pitch slowed down significantly in the middle overs, making batting a slightly more difficult chore, the partnership was important from a game perspective.
When Virat Kohli opened his account after facing ten balls, he appeared a little too cautious and guarded.
An uppish cut of leg-spinner Rishad Hossain ended his stay for 22 even though he became accustomed to it.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel, who was once again moved to No. 5, were both dismissed quickly, leaving India at a somewhat concerning 144 for four.
Jaker Ali dropped KL Rahul off Taskin at nine, but Rahul played a determined unbeaten innings of 41 from 47 balls to ensure there were no more disruptions.The unbroken fifth wicket partnership between Gill and Rahul added 87 runs to help their team win.
Earlier, an equally brave Ali (68, 114b, 4×4) and a cramped Hridoy (who hit a valiant maiden ODI hundred) contributed 154 for a doughty sixth-wicket stand to give Bangladesh’s total some respectability.
Shami is impressive.
In Shami’s excursion, India also discovered another glimmering ray of hope.
With a five-for-53 effort, Shami also allayed many concerns regarding the absence of injured pace ace Jasprit Bumrah. During the stretch, he also became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets.Hridoy’s innings, which saw him reach the milestone in just 114 balls, served as an example of how to arrange an innings while keeping a healthy run-rate.
Both he and Ali shown remarkable poise under duress.
However, the size of the Indian fielders helped both Bangladeshi batters, as Ali was dropped on zero off the first ball he faced from left-arm spinner Axar (2/43).
Axar was also denied a hat-trick after dismissing Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim off consecutive deliveries.
When Hridoy was on 23, Hardik Pandya had the good fortune to grass him off Kuldeep Yadav at mid-off.Hridoy got the second reprieve when Rahul, who was quick behind the stumps, floored a stumping opportunity.
However, those mishaps shouldn’t detract from the way Indian bowlers, particularly Shami, exploited the new ball on a smooth but slow surface.
On the big stage, Shami, who had a mediocre performance against England in the recent home T20I and ODI series, did not let anyone down. He dismissed opener Soumya Sarkar in the first over.He took his second wicket quickly after dismissing Mehdy Hasan Miraz, who was superbly taken in the slips by Shubman Gill.
Later, the Bengal pacer came back to end the resolute stand between Ali and Hridoy, dismissing the latter.
The 34-year-old has already surpassed legendary pacer Zaheer Khan (59) as India’s top wicket-taker in ICC events after taking two more later.
Harshit Rana (3/31) supported his older partner well.
