Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team defeated Najmul Hossain Shanto's Bangladesh by 6 wickets in match 2 of the ongoing edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which is being played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, on February 20 (Thursday). The Men in Blue first bowled out Bangladesh on 228 runs with the help of Mohammed Shami's fifer. Later Shubman Gill sealed the game with a century in the second innings and ensured that India would get off to a winning start in the mega tournament.
Shami's fifer outshines Towhid's century
India managed to get five wickets inside the first five overs. After Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana combined to take the first three wickets, Axar's twin strikes reduced Bangladesh to 35 for five.
Later a 154-run partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali staged the comeback of the Bangladesh sideShami once again provided his team with a crucial breakthrough after dismissing Ali in the 43rd over. He returned to the dugout after scoring crucial 68 runs but his knock came from 114 balls with a strike rate of 59.65.
However, even after Ali's departure Hridoy continued to progress the scoreboard and completed his century. He became the fifth Bangladesh batter to hit a century in the Champions Trophy after Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahriar Nafees, and Mahmudullah. He is also the ninth batter to hit hundred on Champions Trophy debut.
Although India bowled out Bangladesh on 228 runs they would be happy with the score they have managed on the board. At one point, they were at 35/5 but what could have been a disastrous outing was turned around by Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali. Mohammed Shami picked up an astonishing fifer and was the star pick of all bowlers. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana took three and Axar Patel settled with one. India needed to score 229 runs to win this match.
Rohit completed 11000 ODI runs
Rohit Sharma became the second-fastest batter to reach the historic 11000-run mark in ODIs. On February 20 (Thursday). The Indian captain achieved the milestone in his 261st ODI innings. He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar who reached the milestone in his 276th innings, while Virat Kohli is the fastest player to do it in 222 innings.
Shubman Gill's century
Rohit and Shubman Gill once again gave the Men in Blue a good start as they joined a 69-run opening partnership before the Indian captain lost his wicket in the final over of the powerplay. Later Virat Kohli (22 off 38) and Shreyas Iyer (15 off 17) got the start but could not turn them into big scores. Axar Patel departed early too after scoring just 8 runs off 12 balls.
Then KL Rahul walked out and batted till the end with Gill, who completed his century in 125 balls. This was his second consecutive ODI ton. The previous one came in the final ODI against England. This was also his 8th ODI ton and he has taken the fewest innings for an Indian batter to score 8 ODI centuries. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 41 off 47 balls whereas Gill returned after scoring 101 runs not out. Rahul hit a six to end the match and ensure India's win.
Now the India team will go one-on-one against their arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on February 23. The Rohit Sharma-led side has winning momentum, whereas Mohammad Rizwan's Pakistan will be eyeing their first win of the mega tournament.