IND vs BAN: The 2nd match of the Champions Trophy saw a thriller match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium. Bangladesh sets a modest target of 229 runs for team India with the help of their 6th wicket partnership between Hridoy and Jaker of 154 runs. India lost 4 wickets in their chase and Shubhman Gill shined bright with his stable century scoring 101 runs in 129 balls resulting in him being the player of the match.
IND vs BAN: Bangladesh’s sloppy start and revived 6th wicket partnership
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Bangladesh lost their 5 wickets already in the powerplay where Axar Patel missed a Hat-trick with a dropped catch by Rohit Sharma. Hridoy and Jaker managed to build a 154-run partnership for the 6th wicket marking the highest in ODI for the team.
Hridoy managed to score 100 runs in 118 deliveries whereas Jaker Ali managed to get 68 runs in 114 balls. India gave various chances to both of them, Ali was dropped on the first ball whereas Hridoy got chances on two occasions with Hardik leaving the cath at the mid-off and Kl Rahul missing a stump down the leg.
Mohammad Shami’s Stellar Bowling Performance
Earlier in the day, it was Mohammad Shami’s remarkable bowling that set the tone for India’s success. With Jasprit Bumrah missing from the lineup due to injury, Shami stepped up and delivered a match-winning performance, taking 5 wickets for 53 runs in his 10 overs.
His brilliant spell helped restrict Bangladesh to just 228 runs, ensuring that India had a manageable target to chase. Shami’s impact was particularly evident when Bangladesh was struggling at 35 for 5. A solid partnership between Tauheed Hriday and Zaker Ali saw them recover, but Shami’s timely breakthroughs kept the pressure on.
Hridoy, in particular, played a sensational knock, scoring 100 runs from 118 balls, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes. His century brought Bangladesh back into the game, but it wasn’t enough to stop India.
Fielding Lapses Allow Bangladesh to Recover
Despite Shami’s outstanding performance, India’s fielding left much to be desired. Both Hridoy and Ali were given multiple chances to extend their innings. Ali was dropped on the very first ball he faced, while Hridoy was given two reprieves during his innings.
Hardik Pandya missed a catch off Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling, and KL Rahul missed a stumping opportunity, both of which allowed the Bangladeshi batsmen to settle and build their partnership.
While these lapses provided Bangladesh with some breathing room, India’s bowlers, particularly Shami and Harshit Rana, kept up the pressure. Rana, who replaced left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh for this match, was also impressive, taking 3 wickets for 31 runs and supporting Shami’s efforts well.
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India’s Controlled Chase Despite the Hiccups
In the end, India’s chase was not without its hiccups, but thanks to Shubman Gill’s composed century and contributions from Rahul, they managed to reach the target of 229 runs.
Although the middle order was tested, India’s strong bowling performance, led by Shami, ensured that they only had to chase a modest total. The fielding lapses, however, remained a concern, but India’s overall performance was strong enough to secure the win.
Strong Opening Partnership Sets the Tone
In the pursuit of 229 runs, India got off to a strong start with the opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The duo contributed 69 runs for the first wicket in 59 balls. Rohit was in an attacking mood, making 41 runs from 36 balls with 7 boundaries. This inning also witnessed him reaching the milestone of becoming the second-quickest player, only behind Virat Kohli, to reach 11,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
However, the loss of Rohit’s wicket changed the course of the innings. Virat Kohli came to the crease but struggled to get going. He scored only 22 runs off 38 balls before being dismissed by Bangladesh’s leg-spinner Rishad Hussain. Kohli’s inability to handle deliveries outside the off-stump continues to be a concern.
Shubman Gill: The Hero of India’s Chase
With the loss of key wickets—Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (15), and Axar Patel (8)—India found itself in a tricky situation. At this point, Shubman Gill took charge and steadied the ship. The vice-captain showed great composure and played a vital knock, scoring 101 runs off 129 balls, which included 9 boundaries and 2 sixes.
This century was Gill’s fourth consecutive fifty-plus score in ODIs and his 8th century in the format. His controlled innings were key to India’s success, and it helped them inch closer to their target. KL Rahul, who finished unbeaten on 41* off 47 balls, played a steady hand and hit the winning six to seal the victory for India in 45.4 overs.
India’s Next Challenge: Pakistan
With this victory, India is now in a favorable position to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. Their next big test will come on February 23rd when they face Pakistan in a highly anticipated match. The Indian team will look to maintain their momentum and continue their quest for the trophy in what promises to be an exciting clash.
On the other hand, Bangladesh will aim to bounce back from this defeat when they face New Zealand on February 24th in Rawalpindi. They will need to regroup quickly and improve their performance to stay in the race for the semi-finals.
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