Mohammad Shami's fiery fifer and Shubman Gill's century helped India comfortably thrash Bangladesh by six wickets in their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign opener on February 20. But it was Mohammed Shami, which set the tone for India with a brilliant five wicket haul and bundled out Bangladesh for just 228.
Shami took the prized wickets of Soumya Sarkar (0), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5), Jaker Ali (68) and then wiped off the Bangladesh's tail with the scalps of Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0) and Taskin Ahmed (3).
Enroute to his fantastic fifer Shami, who entered the Champions Trophy after a long 14-month absence due to injury, tumbled multiple records. He became the fastest Indian bowler to clock 200 ODI wickets. He completed the milestone after taking his third wicket in his 103rd innings, surpassing Ajit Agarkar's record of 133 innings.
He didn't stop there he also shattered Zaheen Khan's legendary record to notch most wickets for India in ICC events. Shami now has 60 wickets in ICC events, one more than Zaheer Khan. Not just this, Shami also became the just the second Indian bowler after Ravindra Jadeja to clock fifer in the Champions Trophy
Rohit Sharma heaps praise on Mohammed Shami after India's 6-wicket win over Bangladesh
Meanwhile, while heaping praise on superstar pacer, Rohit said the team needs more guys like Shami to step up in big moments.
"Very happy for Shami. Long time waiting. We know what he brings for us. The quality he has. Everytime we throw the ball at him he's got something up his sleeve and we need guys like him to step up in big moments," Rohit Sharma, who scored 43 runs, said during the post-match presentation.
Rohit was also full of praise for India's another match-winner Shubman Gill, who was adjudged Player of the match for his unbeaten 101 which was studded with 7 fours and 2 sixes.
"Before you come and play any game, you have to be confident. In the chase, as it goes on, there are different emotions that come through. But you have to be ready. We have been in that situation before. There's a lot of experience in the dressing room to stay composed. KL and Gill at the end were very composed. One game, very hard to make anything out of the track. Not much grass on it, we knew it would be on the slower side, and that is how it played. As a team, I thought we adapted to the conditions really well, with the bowling and with the bat as well," Rohit added.
"Gill, we know the class he has. He's been batting brilliantly of late and today what he showed us, it shouldn't surprise anyone. What was good to see was he was there till the end," he concluded.
India will next face their arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23 and will look to seal the semifinal spot sealing a win in the high-octane clash which will be played at the Dubai International stadium.
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