Shubman Gill delivered a remarkable performance during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, guiding India to victory with his scintillated unbeaten 101 runs against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 20, 2025. This victory marked the start of India’s campaign to reclaim the prestigious title, setting the tone for what is expected to be another thrilling tournament.
Taking on the challenge of chasing down 229 on what seemed like a tricky pitch, Gill showcased his exceptional skills as he anchored the innings. His contribution was pivotal, helping India secure the win by six wickets with 21 balls remaining. The win was not just about the numbers; it demonstrated India's determination and the depth of their batting lineup.
Gill’s century was noteworthy for several reasons. It was his first one at an ICC event and his eighth overall, making him the fastest Indian to achieve eight ODI centuries, doing so in just 51 innings, surpassing many illustrious players before him.
Captain Rohit Sharma's decision to chase after winning the toss proved fruitful, particularly with Gill and Rohit getting off to a solid start. The early partnership between the two set the stage for the chase, but it was marked by some anxious moments as Bangladesh’s bowlers began to create pressure with early breakthroughs.
Mohammed Shami, marked as the bowling spearhead, laid the foundation for India’s success by taking five wickets, including key early dismissals. Bangladesh, opting to bat first, faced immense pressure early on as they crumbled to 35 for the loss of five wickets. Shami's brilliant figures of 5-53 demonstrated his capability, stepping up significantly in the absence of injured Jasprit Bumrah.
On the Bangladeshi side, the innings saw some heroics from Towhid Hridoy, who scored 100, and Jaker Ali, who added 68 runs, forming a formidable partnership of 154 runs for the sixth wicket and rescuing Bangladesh from their precarious position, pushing their total to 228. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his discontent after the match, noting, "It’s very hard to recover and so it cost us the game," highlighting their struggles after the initial damage.
Although Bangladesh faced early setbacks, their perseverance drew applause, especially for Hridoy’s century, which was the first of his ODI career. Shanto remarked about the overall struggles of their batting performance, stating, "If we could take those catches, it could be different," referring to dropped chances early on their innings.
Despite the trickiness of the pitch, Gill applied his strategic acumen. He later shared, “Definitely one of my most satisfying innings,” acknowledging how he adapted his approach by using his feet against pacers and rotating the strike against spinners.
India's innings unfolded as Rohit and Gill set the pace with several boundaries. Rohit Sharma, contributing 41 runs, became the 10th batsman to surpass 11,000 ODI runs. Their partnership was soon disrupted, but Gill held firm and his resolve created stability.
Virat Kohli’s entrance lent more pressure onto the match; he was quick to face adversity before eventually falling for 22, providing Bangladesh another breakthrough. Gill not only kept calm but stitched together 87 runs with KL Rahul, who finished the match with 41 runs not out. Rahul, though, was nearly dismissed early on, having been dropped at deep mid-wicket right after coming to bat, which ended up being Bangladesh's regretful oversight.
The match also stood significant for cricket enthusiasts following Gill's illustrious rise. His ability to remain calm under pressure was highlighted when he reflected post-match on his game plan and the communication with his partners during challenging moments. "When the spinners came on, me and Virat bhai were talking… so we’ll try to score singles off the back foot," he explained, which underlined the team dynamics necessary for success.
With Gill’s consistent performance throughout the ODI series against England prior to the tournament, where he recorded scores of 87 and 112, it’s clear he is in prime form. This marked the fourth consecutive score above fifty, indicating his current prowess and earning him praise as India’s vice-captain.
Looking forward, India aims to build on their strong start as they gear up for their next match against archrivals Pakistan on February 23, 2025. The players and fans are hopeful for another triumphant display, hoping to inch closer to the semi-finals as the tournament progresses.
The victory against Bangladesh was more than just points; it served as a reminder of India's cricketing strength and their aspirations to dominate the Champions Trophy once again.