Gill nails century as India kickstart Champions Trophy campaign with win over Bangladesh

Saturday, 22 February 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Shubman Gill mauled an unbeaten century to inspire a six-wicket win in India’s Group A Champions Trophy fixture against Bangladesh in Dubai.

The ICC no.1 ranked batter smashed his second hundred on the trot to power India’s chase of 229.

The Indian opener continued his rich vein of form, amassing 101* off 129 deliveries. Having risen to the top of the ICC Men’s Batting Rankings ahead of Thursday’s fixture, Gill combined alongside Rohit Sharma to take the attack to the Bangladesh bowlers from the get-go.

The Indian skipper looked in fine form with the bat as he blazed seven boundaries during his knock of 41. However, Rohit was undone by a short delivery from Taskin Ahmed off the penultimate ball of the powerplay.

Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain then struck twice to remove Virat Kohli (22) and Axar Patel (8) to spark a fightback from his side after India got off to a quickfire start.

Having lost four wickets, Gill then stitched a crucial partnership of 87 runs to see the game through alongside KL Rahul (41*).

Starting off the game with the ball, seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami marked an impressive return to the big stage as he nabbed a five-wicket haul to put India on the offense in the first innings.

Wrapping up with bowling figures of 5/53 from his 10-over quota, Shami crossed the 200 ODI wickets milestone, and surpassed Zaheer Khan to become India’s leading wicket-taker at ICC ODI tournaments to headline the first innings.

The win takes India to the second spot in Group A with two points, as many as New Zealand, who have a better run-rate and sit atop the points table.

Rohit Sharma and co will face-off against Pakistan in their next fixture on Sunday in Dubai. Bangladesh on the other hand, will lock horns with New Zealand in Rawalpindi next week.

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