India vs Bangladesh: Shubman Gill Shines With Century, Calls It ‘One of My Most Satisfying Innings’ in Champions Trophy 2025 Win

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India vs Bangladesh: Shubman Gill once again proved why he is the top-ranked ODI batter in the world, delivering a composed and tactically astute century to guide India to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener on Thursday, February 20.

The 25-year-old batter’s unbeaten 101 off 129 balls, which was his maiden century in the Champions Trophy tournament, not only anchored India’s chase of 229 but also showcased his adaptability on a tricky Dubai surface.

Gill was named the Player of the Match for his crucial knock, and in the post-match presentation, he reflected on the innings, calling it “one of the most satisfying” of his career. He especially focused the tactical approach he and Rohit Sharma adopted early in the innings.

"Definitely one of my most satisfying innings I have played," Gill said, explaining his early game plan. “When me and Rohit bhai went out there, we decided not cutting the ball, so I started using my feet to the fast bowlers as well.”

Despite a solid start alongside Rohit Sharma, who scored a fluent 41 off 36 balls, India found themselves in a spot of bother as Bangladesh struck back with quick wickets. The dismissal of Virat Kohli (22 off 38 balls), Shreyas Iyer (15 off 17), and Axar Patel (8 off 12) meant India had to rebuild carefully. However, Gill adapted his approach according to the situation, something he discussed after the match.

"When Virat bhai came, we were talking about front foot shots being difficult, so we planned to play more off the back foot," he revealed, shedding light on how he and Kohli adjusted their stroke-making to counter Bangladesh’s bowlers.

Gill’s patience and game awareness were on full display as he rotated the strike efficiently before accelerating towards the end. His two sixes were particularly crucial in the context of the match, and he acknowledged their importance in his post-match comments.

"The first one gave me a lot of confidence, and the second one helped me get closer to my hundred, so both are satisfying," he said.

Gill received valuable support from KL Rahul (41 off 47 balls), who ensured there were no further hiccups in the chase. The duo stitched together a match-winning partnership that took India home comfortably in 46.3 overs.

Mohammed Shami’s Five-Wicket Haul Set the Tone

Earlier in the day, India’s bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami, dismantled Bangladesh’s top order in the powerplay. The veteran pacer marked his return to ICC tournaments in style, claiming 5 for 53, including his 200th ODI wicket. Axar Patel also played a key role, taking 2 for 43, nearly securing a hat-trick in his opening spell.

Despite the early collapse, Bangladesh recovered through a resilient 100 off 118 balls from Towhid Hridoy, who, along with Jaker Ali (68 off 114 balls), put on a record-breaking sixth-wicket partnership of 154 runs. Their efforts took Bangladesh to 228 all out in 49.4 overs, but the total proved insufficient against India’s controlled chase.

This victory sets India on a strong path in the Champions Trophy, and with Gill in prime form, the Men in Blue look well-prepared for the challenges ahead. The tactical clarity in Gill’s innings, combined with India’s disciplined bowling, made this a near-flawless performance.

India will now look to carry this momentum forward as they aim for another ICC title.