Gill's Grit and Shami's Magic Guide India to Victory Against Bangladesh
India kicked off their ICC Champions Trophy campaign in style with a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh, thanks to Shubman Gill’s steady century and Mohammed Shami’s fiery five-wicket haul. The match was anything but a cakewalk, with India overcoming a tricky chase on a sluggish pitch in Colombo.
Shami's Brilliance with the Ball
Bangladesh, after winning the toss and opting to bat, found themselves in deep trouble at 35 for 5. Mohammed Shami, leading India’s attack, dismantled the top order with his impeccable line and length. Axar Patel also created early breakthroughs, almost securing a hat-trick, but a dropped catch from Rohit Sharma denied him the milestone. Despite a fighting century from Towhid Hridoy and a useful 68 from Jaker Ali, Bangladesh could only manage 228 before getting bowled out. Shami finished with figures of 5 for 53, making him the fastest bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled.
A Tricky Chase for India
Chasing 229, India got off to a promising start, with Rohit Sharma and Gill adding 69 runs for the first wicket. However, once Rohit departed for 41, scoring became difficult on the slow track. Virat Kohli struggled before falling to leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, while Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel also perished trying to accelerate.
The situation demanded a composed innings, and Gill delivered. He curbed his natural aggression, focusing on rotating the strike and picking selective boundaries. His slowest-ever ODI hundred (125 balls) might not have been the most flamboyant, but it was exactly what India needed to avoid another collapse like their infamous Sri Lanka series defeat.
Rahul and Gill Steady the Ship
KL Rahul, after an early scare when he was dropped, played a supporting role in guiding India home. As the target neared, Gill switched gears, smashing a six and a four off Tanzim Hasan to complete his century. Rahul finished things off in style with a six, ensuring India chased down the total with 21 balls to spare.
Key Takeaways from the Match
Mohammed Shami’s Milestone: His sixth five-wicket haul made him the fastest to 200 ODI wickets.
Gill’s Patience: A lesson in adaptability, his century anchored India’s chase on a tough surface.
Missed Chances: Bangladesh will rue their dropped catches and misfields, which cost them dearly.
India’s victory wasn’t just about individual brilliance; it was a testament to their ability to adapt to challenging conditions. With this win, they start their Champions Trophy campaign on a strong note, but bigger challenges lie ahead.
Reference from:- https://www.espncricinfo.com/