Bangladesh vs India ICC Champions Trophy, 2025

OUT! CAUGHT! Mohammad Shami hangs on to a steepler of a catch and Harshit Rana closes things off as Bangladesh are all out in the final over of the innings. Rana hits the hard length around middle, Tawhid Hridoy tries to stay low and get under it but ends up getting a top edge that lands around leg gully. Shami goes in from short fine leg and takes the catch, marking the end of a gem of a knock from Hridoy. He gets out on exactly 100 runs and Bangladesh end with 228 runs on the board!

Good change of pace from Rana! Slower one, floated up a bit full and outside off, Hridoy swings and misses.

Full and at the stumps, Hridoy slogs wildly across the line but gets an inside edge back onto the pads. He can hardly move here.

Banged into the deck, Hridoy hangs back and heaves across the line and gets it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket. No single taken!

Who bowls the final over? Pandya or Rana? The latter. Harshit Rana with the figures of 7-0-31-2 to wrap the first innings.

Beaten! Quick and full, in the channel around off, the Fizz hangs back again and puts his bat down but the ball zips past the outside edge. Shami finishes with 5 for 53 in his 10 overs.

Full and straight, looks to angle it into the blockhole, Mustafizur Rahman stays back and just blocks it off.

Mustafizur Rahman is the last batter in for Bangladesh.

OUT! CAUGHT! A five-wicket haul for Mohammad Shami and he just loves the ICC competitions! Takes a bit of pace off this one, stays around the wicket and angles it in on a good length into the pads. Taskin Ahmed just crouches a bit and picks it up but flicks it high up towards deep mid-wicket. Shreyas Iyer settles under it and takes a safe catch and Bangladesh have now lost 9 wickets.

Goes full now, on off, Taskin makes room to drive but a good dive from the fielder at covers to his right to stop a potential boundary. No single taken either.

Bowled back of a length and angled into the batter, Taskin Ahmed gets cramped and looks to pull but misses and the ball lobs up off the body and lands on the deck.

A huge roar from the Bangladeshi supporters and rightly so too. A HUNDRED FOR HRIDOY, his maiden ton in ODI cricket and it couldn't have come at a more crucial time. Just short of a good length and outside off, tapped away in front of square on the off side, through the gap and for a single.

WIDE! Slower ball, pitched up well wide of the off stump line, left alone for a wide.

Hridoy is flat on the ground on his back, and is struggling badly here. Taskin Ahmed runs towards him right away and helps to get him up on his feet. He looks good to continue for now. Also, Mohammad Shami to bowl the penultimate over, with Hridoy just one run away from a valiant century.

Flattens it up around off, Hridoy backs away and taps it to the left of covers. This time he has to hurry for the single and puts in a big dive as the fielder misses the shy at the bowler's end. Hridoy is down on the track again but gets up soon after. Moves on to 99 now.

This one is looped up a bit more and right on middle and leg stump, Hridoy just blocks it off.

Bowled well short and over middle, Taskin miscues the pull completely and gets it through mid-wicket for another single.

Hridoy's pain seems to be growing with every single he runs. Floated up on a length and around leg, tucked away to deep square leg for one more.

Short and wide outside off, Taskin Ahmed stays in his crease and slaps it away wide of long off for just a single.

Tosses it up on a dragged length and around leg, Hridoy tucks it away into the gap at backward square leg and picks up another single.

Pitched up at the stumps, dug out down to long on for one as Hridoy hobbles across to the other end.

FOUR! Mightily struck, no need to move for Tawhid Hridoy when he can hit the ball like that. Hard length wide outside off, Hridoy anticipates the line well and moves across before swatting it flat and through the gap at covers for a boundary. Moves on to 95 now.

Oh, dear! Tawhid Hridoy is down on the ground, again. He looks in a lot of pain due to the cramp on his left leg. The physio is out in no time to check him up. Hridoy is being helped with some stretching exercises. He is supported to get up on his feet by the physio and takes some fluids to stay hydrated and gulps in a couple of tablets as well. Looks fine to continue now, after a long delay.

Tawhid Hridoy is seriously struggling with fitness now and is down on the ground in agonizing pain. Bowled back of a length and into the deck outside off, Hridoy stands tall and just slaps it away towards cover, can't pierce the infield and requires a bit more attention from the physio here.

Around the wicket to the left-hander, pitched up in the channel and Taskin Ahmed edges this one don to deep third for a single.

Taskin Ahmed is in at number 10.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Mohammad Shami with his fourth wicket and Bangladesh are now 8 down! Shami bangs this one into the pitch and pushes it wide of the off stump line. Tanzim Hasan Sakib goes chasing after it and goes hard but gets an inside edge and the ball goes back onto the stumps. The bails come off and Tanzim has to walk back for a duck.

Banged in a bit short and around off, Tawhid Hridoy gets up on his toes and forces the ball square on the off side for a single.

Too full and on middle and leg, Tanzim Hasan Sakib clips it to mid-wicket.

Back of a length again, wide outside off, slower ball. Sakib slashes hard at it and misses.

Hard length and around off. Sakib blocks it to short mid-wicket.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib is the new batter in at number 9.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! A soft dismissal and Rana gets the reward of getting his second wicket. Short of a good length from Rana, outside off, doesn't bounce a lot. Rishad Hossain leans back and tries to play the upper cut by using the pace, but ends up chipping it in the air and straight toward short third where Hardik Pandya takes a simple catch. Rishad Hossain departs on 18 (12).

Full and around off, Tawhid Hridoy prods forward and taps it to covers for a single.

Full around off. Rishad works it down to long on for a single.

Fired in full and wide, Hossain swats it away to deep covers for a run. A huge over for Bangladesh, 20 off it.

SIX MORE! Quick and flat at the stumps, Rishad Hossain rocks back this time and muscles the ball away over the mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

SIX! Wow, what a shot! On a length and at the stumps, Rishad Hossain just clears the front leg and swings through the line, launching it wide of long on for a biggie.

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Tossed up around off and turning away, Rishad Hossain swings across the line and gets an outside edge that goes past the keeper and into the deep third fence.

Halt! Tawhid Hridoy is struggling and is on the ground. The physio comes up running to the middle to attend Hridoy. He is helped with some fluids and looks good to continue.

A risky single and it seems Hridoy has hurt himself as well. Bowled full and around off, Hridoy nudges it across to the leg side and starts off for the run. Axar Patel chases it down and has a shay at the bowler's end but misses as Hridoy dives in. The physio comes out to have a look and it seems that Hridoy is just feeling the heat a bit, being out there for so long.

Fractionally short and around off, Tawhid Hridoy rocks back and slaps the ball away wide of point and into the deep for a couple of runs.

Play and a miss! Full and wide outside off, Rishad Hossain looks to hack it to the leg side but is well beaten.

Tossed up, a bit full and around off, Rishad Hossain reaches for it and blocks it to mid off.

Darts this one in full and at the pads, nudged away to the leg side for a quick single.

NOT OUT! Clearly pitching outside leg! Kuldeep Yadav flights the ball up, full and around leg, it is the googly that turns away from the right-hander. Rishad Hossain doesn't pick it and plays all around it. The ball flicks the pad and rolls down to short third for a leg bye. There is an appeal for LBW which is turned down and the review is taken. No bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that it pitched outside leg.

Is that out? An appeal for LBW but given not out. India go upstairs to review it. The third umpire Richard Illingworth says 'no need for UltraEdge'. Ball Tracking comes up, and shows the ball clearly pitching outside leg.

Nicely tossed up, on off and turning in, Rishad Hossain leans on to defend.

Flights it right up on the pads, Hridoy tucks it away into the open space at mid-wicket and Kuldeep Yadav hobbles towards the ball and keeps it down to one.

Kuldeep Yadav is back on. He is 8-0-36-0 so far and replaces Hardik Pandya.

Hits the deck hard, bowling it around off and middle, Rishad Hossain manages to fend it away. End of a successful over from Shami.

Good-length delivery around off, Rishad Hossain just blocks it off.

OUT! CAUGHT! 200 ODI WICKETS FOR SHAMI! Mohammad Shami pitches the ball up on a hard length and angles it into middle. Jaker Ali tries to get under the ball and lifts it up but it goes straight up and over wide mid on. Virat Kohli comes in from the long on fence and settles under it to take a safe catch. End of a fighting knock of 68(114) from Jaker and Shami gets his third wicket. Bangladesh now 189/6 after being 5 down for 35. Also, Shami is the second-fastest to 200 ODI wickets in terms of innings, the fastest being Mitchell Starc in terms of both matches and innings.

Rishad Hossain is in at number 8.

WIDE! Floated up, slower and well wide of the off stump, Jaker tries to reach for it but misses.

An excellent stop this time around from Rana! Banged in short over middle, Hridoy picks it up early and nails the pull to the left of deep square leg but Rana is quick to react and makes a fine stop. Just the single but the 150-run stand comes up between these two, the highest partnership for any wicket for Bangladesh against India in ODIs.

FOUR! A sloppy dive in the deep from Harshit Rana! Pitched up at the stumps, Hridoy sets up deep in the crease and whacks it to the right of deep mid-wicket where Rana dives over the ball and lets it through for a boundary.

Lands it on the seam at 130 clicks, on a hard length and around off, Hridoy looks to punch it away but gets an inside edge back onto the body.

Another off-cutter, wide outside off and angling in, Hridoy hangs back and just taps it away in front of point for another single in the deep.

Pitches it up to the batter, around off, Jaker gets across a bit and heaves it across to wide long on for a run.

Back of a length and outside off, Jaker Ali goes back and across to the off side and taps it straight to covers.

Really slow and banged well into the pitch, Hridoy gets on top of the bounce and pulls it down towards deep square leg for a run.

WIDE! Goes pace on this time and looks for the yorker at the toes but spills it down leg for a wide. Good take from Rahul!

A slower bumper now, dug in towards the batter, Tawhid Hridoy gives charge and was it away to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of more runs.

A bit slower and bowls back of a length around off, Jaker gets across and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Good length, around the top of off and middle, Jaker gets inside the line and tickles it down to fine leg for one more. 11 off that over!

Hard length, aimed in at the pads, tucked away past square leg for a single by Hridoy.

FOUR! Banged away! Tawhid Hridoy in a punishing mood now! Just short of a length and over middle, Hridoy leans back and short-arms jabs it flat over the mid-wicket fielder and finds the vacant fence.

Full and straight, on off and middle, Jaker comes forward and shovels it away to deep square leg for a single.

Pitches the ball up this time and attacks the middle and leg stumps, Jaker plays it on the up to mid on.

FOUR! Well struck! Shami starts off with a short-pitched delivery, aiming it at the batter, Jaker Ali takes it on and pulls it behind Axar Patel at deep square leg for a boundary. This is the highest sixth-wicket partnership in the history of the ICC Champions Tropy now. The previous best came between South Africa's Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp of 130 runs in the 2006 edition of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan, in Mohali.

Powerplay 3! A maximum of five fielders are now allowed to be stationed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the innings. Mohammad Shami is back into the attack now. He is 6-0-27-2 so far, and replaces Ravindra Jadeja.

Full, around off, Jaker drives it to the right of the bowler for a quick single.

On a good length, around the fifth stump, Jaker Ali moves across and drops it down back to the bowler.

Fuller and outside off, Tanzid Hasan walks down the wicket and hammers it aerially over cover but straight to sweeper cover only for a single.

Well-directed yorker, around middle, Jaker Ali does well to bring his bat down in time and digs it out to deep square leg for a single.

Goes fuller, on the fourth stump, Jaker Ali lunges and drives it to cover.

On a good length and outside off, Jaker Ali comes forward and dabs it to backward point.

Hardik Pandya who bowled just 2 overs for 10 runs earlier on, is back into the attack.

Fuller, around off, Jaker comes forward and drives it to long off for a single.

Nagging length, around off, Hridoy goes back and dabs it wide of point for a single.

SIX! THUMPED! A bit slower, and outside off, fuller in length, Tawhid Hridoy goes on his knee and clears out his front leg to give himself room and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. QUITE A MASSIVE STRIKE!

Fuller around middle, Jaker goes on his knee and sweeps it to deep fine leg for a single.

Drags his length, around middle and leg, Tawhid Hridoy uses his feet and pushes it wide of cover for a single.

Fuller around middle, Jaker comes forward and drives it to long off for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to continue...

Back of a length on the pads, Jaker tickles it to deep fine for a single.

Drags the length, on off, Jaker Ali first lines up for a sweep shot, but the length is dragged back, and Ali manages to punch it into the off side.

Tossed up, around middle, Jaker looks to flick it but gets a leading edge towards cover.

Nagging length, around middle, Hridoy takes a step forward and clips it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Quite an authoritative shot! Comes over the wicket does Kuldeep and gives air to the ball, fuller, around off, Tawhid Hridoy makes room and extends his arms to get to the pitch of the ball to loft it inside out over cover for a biggie.

Tossed up, around middle, Jaker Ali comes forward and clips it to deep fine leg for a single.

Full and drifting on the leg stump, swept away behind square for a single at deep backward square leg.

Fuller, around off, Jaker Ali goes on his knee and sweeps it to deep fine leg for a single.

Nice and full, pushed straight back to Jadeja.

Nagging length, around off, Hridoy steers it towards short third for a quick single.

FOUR! TAWHID HRIDOY GETS TO HIS FIFTY NOW! A quicker ball, fuller and outside off, Tawhid Hridoy goes back and looks to cut it but gets a thick outside edge that races away to the boundary at deep third man. What a class inning from Tawhid Hridoy as he and Jaker Ali provided that much-needed partnership for Bangladesh and have recovered well after losing five early wickets.

Fuller, around off, Hridoy drops it down to cover.

Tossed up, just outside off, Jaker comes forward and dabs it to short third.

Nagging length, around off, Tawhid Hridoy goes back and looks to turn it to the leg side but gets a leading edge to short third for a single.

100 runs come up for this partnership as this duo has batted so well! Kuldeep drops it short, around off, Jaker goes back and steers it to mid off for a single.

Floated up, around middle, Jaker clips it to mid-wicket off the front foot.

Quicker, around middle, Jaker comes forward and nudges it to square leg.

GETS HIS FIFTY, DOES JAKER ALI! Slower through the air, on the nagging length, around leg, Jaker Ali presses forward and tickles it towards deep fine leg and runs off for a couple to complete his milestone. What a brilliant inning by him! Came in at 35/5, dropped off the very first ball, he has steered his team out of trouble and steadied the ship along with Tawhid Hridoy.

Drinks break! Well, the Indian spinners are racing through the overs but maybe a bit too quickly and these two set batters are able to tick along with 3-4 runs an over comfortably at the moment. The pair of Jaker Ali and Tawhid Hridoy has done brilliantly but there's still a long way to go and India will be hoping that they can break this stand and expose the tail. A few crucial overs coming up, so, don't go anywhere.

On a length, around off, worked to cover by Hridoy.

Full and around off, Jaker Ali drives it to the left of the bowler. Jadeja runs to his left to stop the ball, but it evades him and the batters collect a single at long off.

Darts it on a length, around off, Tawhid Hridoy hangs back and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Flat and quick, full and drifting on the leg stump line, Jaker Ali sweeps it to deep fine for a single.

Too full and quick on the stumps, kept out to the leg side by Ali.

Full, around off, Tawhid Hridoy drives it wide of long off for a single.

Lands it on a good length, on middle, Jaker Ali weighs on the back foot and eases it out to point.

Full, on middle, blocked back to the bowler.

FOUR! Nicely done! Full and tossed on middle and leg, turning in. Jaker Ali sweeps it nicely along the ground to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Another appeal for stumping by KL Rahul but the umpire is not interested. Googly, turning away from off, on a fuller length. Jaker Ali looks to drive it away to the off side, but misses. KL Rahul collects the ball and whips the bails off in a flash. However, Jaker Ali never lifted his leg from the crease.

A stumping chance, but Jaker survives! Kuldeep bowls a wrong'un and lands it full and flat around off, Jaker Ali comes forward to whip it across to the leg side but misses. The ball skids and KL Rahul collects it cleanly behind the wickets before dislodging the bails off. The side-on replay confirms that Jaker momentarily lifted his back leg in the air, but gets it ground in time before KL Rahul breaks the wickets. NOT OUT.

Is that stumped? Not much enthusiasm from KL Rahul behind the stumps but the umpires have sent it upstairs. The replays roll in and show that Jaker Ali had grounded his feet before the bails were dislodged and it will be NOT OUT on the bjg screen.

Looped up, full and on leg, Tawhid Hridoy leans on, opens the bat face and guides it in front of backward point for a quick single.

Kuldeep Yadav (5-0-18-0) is back into the attack.

Nice and full around off, driven to the left of the bowler. Axar moves across and stops it to end the over.

Darts on the stumps at 87.4 kph, full in length, Hridoy goes back and nudges it to the leg side for a single at the square leg region.

Slower through the air, on off, and on a length, punched back to the bowler.

Good running between the wickets! Back of a length, angling on the pads, Tawhid Hridoy hangs back and tucks it around the corner to square leg for two more.

Nagging length, outside off, punched away to cover.

Tosses it fuller on off, Jaker Ali presses forward and drives it down to long off and takes a single.

Just a hint of reverse on it, full and angling on the pads, Tawhid Hridoy tilts ahead and flicks it past square leg as Shubman Gill gives it a chase. Two runs taken.

Right in front of the stumps, on a length, Tawhid Hridoy blocks it forward.

Aims the sticks, does Rana, full in length, Tawhid Hridoy tucks it across to mid-wicket.

Around off, on a length, Tawhid Hridoy drives it to deep extra cover. Axar Patel from deep backward point runs across to his right and intercepts it to keep the batters to just a couple.

Fuller and on the stumps, Jaker Ali hits it through the line, and between cover and point for a single.

Good length, just outside off, Tawhid Hridoy prods forward and pushes at it. The ball goes off the outer half of the bat to deep third. A single taken.

A very slow round-arm delivery from Axar, around off, Tawhid Hridoy waits for it, rocks back and cuts it past cover-point for a single. Just a couple of runs from it and this stand grows to 78 runs off 136 deliveries.

Nagging length, on off, Tawhid Hridoy punches it straight back to the bowler.

Nicely tossed up, full around off, driven to cover.

Arm ball, drifting in on middle, Tawhid Hridoy goes back and to work it across but hits it on the pad.

Length, on off, cut away to cover.

Axar comes back into the attack. Bowls a round-arm delivery, on off and full, Jaker Ali drives it nicely along the ground to long off for a single.

Fuller again, but on the pads, Jaker nudges it wide of square leg for a single.

FOUR! GLOROUS! BOUNDARY AFTER AGES FOR BANGLADESH! Harshit serves it full, around middle, right in the slot, Jaker Ali comes forward and presents the full face of the bat for a drive shot down the ground for a boundary.

Fuller, around off, Jaker Ali transfers his weight to the front foot and drills it back to the bowler.

Bangs in short of a length, around off, Tawhid Hridoy hops up and drops it down to deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length, around middle, Jaker Ali moves across and swivels to pull it along the ground to deep fine leg for a single.

Starts with a full ball, just outside off, Tawhid Hridoy comes forward and looks to drive it but gets a thick outside edge to deep third man for a single.

Short of a length, around off, Tawhid Hridoy pulls it through the top edge aerially towards deep fine leg for a single.

Nagging length, around off, Hridoy just dabs it towards cover.

Back of a length, on top of off, Jaker Ali moves across to cover the line and gets on top of the bounce to drop it down wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Goes fuller, around middle, Jaker drills it to mid on off the front foot.

Short of a length, just outside off, Tawhid Hridoy stays on the back foot and cuts it aerially over the backward point fielder for a single.

100 comes up for Bangladesh! Back of a length, around off, Jaker opens the face of the bat and guides it to deep third man for a single.

Tossed up, around middle, Jaker Ali clips it towards short fine leg for a single. Just a run off it.

Drags his length a bit, around off, Jaker presses back and defends it. FIVE DOTS IN A ROW!

Touch fuller, around off, Jaker drops it down to cover.

Slower through the air, fuller and just outside off, Jaker Ali looks to flick it but gets it through the inner half of the bat to square leg.

Floated up, around middle, Jaker Ali blocks it out right under his eyes.

Tossed up, too full, just outside off, Jaker Ali comes forward and pats it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, on top of off, Tawhid Hridoy lets the ball come to him and chops it out towards backward point. Ravindra Jadeja collects the ball to his left and makes a throw at the batter's end but misses.

Nagging length and outside off, Hridoy dabs it towards cover point off the front foot.

Goes fuller, and changes his line to the off stump, Tawhid Hridoy comes forward and shows the full face of the bat to drive it. Mohammad Shami tries to stop the ball in his follow-through as he gets his right hand on it.

Much fuller from Shami, almost a yorker, around middle, Jaker Ali lunges and flicks it to deep fine leg for a single.

On a good length, and similar line on leg, on the pads, too easy for Tawhid Hridoy as he comes forward and flicks it wide of deep fine leg for a single.

WIDE! Bangs in short of a length, around leg, with pace off, Tawhid Hridoy doesn't offer any shot at it. Called a wide.

Starts with a back-of-a-length ball, around middle, Tawhid Hridoy hops up and turns it towards mid-wicket.

Mohammad Shami (4-0-20-2) is back on. He's currently on 199 ODI wickets.

Floated up, around off, Jaker Ali lunges and blocks it off.

Keeps it short length, around middle, Tawhid Hridoy presses back and pushes it to long off for a single.

Nagging length, around middle, Hridoy nudges it towards mid-wicket and wants to have a quick single but is sent back by Jaker Ali.

Tossed up, well outside off, Jaker Ali moves across and drills it to long off for a single.

Keeps it shorter, around leg, Tawhid Hridoy swivels and pulls it along the ground wide of deep fine leg for a single.

Drops it short, around off, Tawhid Hridoy goes back and dabs it towards cover.

Flighted one right at the stumps. Jaker defends it to the off side. Halfway through in the first innings, Bangladesh are 92/5, with the stand growing to 57 runs for the sixth wicket.

Darts in a length ball, on the stumps, Jaker comes forward to block, but the ball rolls off the inside edge to the leg side, around the square leg region.

Arm ball, full and around off, Jaker Ali leans forward to block but inside edges it onto the front pad.

On a length, around off, kept out on the back foot.

Full and drifting on the leg stump, Jaker Ali sweeps it too fine and gets a couple of runs at deep fine leg.

Nice and full, on the stumps, defended out.

Should have been a couple of runs there, easily! Full and on the stumps, Jaker slogs it away to deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs across to intercept the ball to his left. Just a single.

Full in length, on off, Jaker Ali lunges forward and defends it out.

Lands it on a length, outside off, Tawhid Hridoy rocks back and cuts it to cover-point for a single.

On middle, and full, Jaker Ali sweeps it along the ground to deep square leg. Gets to the other end.

Full, on leg, Jaker Ali leans forward and keeps it out.

Back of a length, turning in from middle, nudged away to deep square leg for one.

A drag-downer from Jadeja, on middle, Tawhid Hridoy weighs on the back foot and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Full again, on the stumps, Tawhid defends it well.

Nice and full, on middle, blocked off straight.

Length, on top of middle, turns away. Tawhid Hridoy blocks.

The 50-run stand is up between these two! Full, landed on off, driven to long off for a single.

Jadeja tosses it up, drifts it in on leg, Jaker Ali misses to work it to the leg side, and the ball whispers past the leg stump. KL Rahul misses to collect the ball in his gloves and it drops near the stumps. The side-on replay showed that Jaker was well outside the crease and could've been stumped out had KL held onto the ball. Hence, another fielding error from India.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Tawhid Hridoy clips it with soft hands to short mid-wicket.

Full and on off, Jaker Ali leans and pushes it to mid off and takes a quick single.

And again! Another wrong'un from Kuldeep, full and around off, Jaker sits for a sweep, but is again beaten!

BEATEN! A googly, on off, full, Jaker Ali misses to sweep it away as the ball takes some bounce off the deck.

Some turn into the batter, on a length, Jaker Ali is flummoxed by the spin and just about manages to tap the ball on the deck.

Tossed up, full and on leg, Jaker Ali closes the bat face to flick and gets a leading edge. The ball rolls into the off side.

Excellent stop by Virat! In-between length, around off, Tawhid Hridoy rocks back and slaps the ball to pierce cover-point, but Virat Kohli swiftly dives to his left and intercepts the ball.

Length, around off, cut to cover.

A round-arm delivery, on middle, Jaker Ali pushes this full ball to the mid-wicket region. With no fielder there, Jadeja moves to his right and tries to stop the ball but fumbles and allows a single.

A bit full, on middle and leg, worked to mid on for a single.

Full and on off, Jaker Ali drives it along the turf to long off. Gets a single.

Drifting on the pads, on a length, Tawhid Hridoy steers it wide of square leg for a single.

JUST IN - Just a couple of balls ago, Nasser Hussain on-air informed that Pakistan's opening batter, Fakhar Zaman has been RULED OUT for the entire ICC Champions Trophy. He got injured while fielding against New Zealand in the curtain-raiser. Imam-Ul-Haq has been named as his replacement. Fakhar's exit due to an injury could be a huge blow for Pakistan.

Nicely flighted, around off and middle, defended off the front foot by Jaker.

DROPPED! Would you believe it? Hardik Pandya has put a catch down and both these batters have now got a life each. Tossed-up delivery, full and around off, Hridoy plants his front leg ahead and looks to smack it over mid off. Gets plenty of power but not the elevation. Pandya goes with both hands to his right but the ball just bursts through and tickles down to long on for a single.

Excellent running! Tossed up around off, pushed away straight to mid off for a quick single.

Bowls it flatter now around the top of off, Hridoy rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a run.

FOUR! Tawhid Hridoy makes good use of the freebie! Floated up, a bit too full and on middle, Hridoy heaves it up and away in front of deep mid-wicket and picks up a boundary.

No ball! Over the wicket now and floated up around middle, Tawhid Hridoy leans ahead and defends it out. Oh, dear! Kuldeep Yadav has overstepped and a Free Hit will now follow.

Oh, Kuldeep Yadav just hurts his ankle a bit. Tosses the ball up on the stumps, driven firmly back past the bowler for a single.

Left-arm finger spin replaces left-arm wrist spin. Kuldeep Yadav is brought into the attack in place of Ravindra Jadeja.

Shorter one on the pads, nudged away around the corner for an easy single.

Nagging length on middle, Jaker Ali leans on to block.

Half a shout for LBW but turned down! Flattens up the trajectory and darts it in a bit full and into the pads, Jaker Ali looks to block it off the front foot but misses and gets pinged on the pads.

Fuller in length again and wide outside off, Tawhid Hridoy drives it away square through the off side for one more.

Flighted ball outside off, Jaker Ali shows the full face of the blade and pushes it wide of long off for a single.

On a dragged length, angling into the batter, worked away off the back foot through mid-wicket for one.

Floated up, full and outside off, driven away to covers.

Trying to be cheeky there! Bowled outside off this time, Jaker Ali looks to fetch it and play the paddle sweep but gets into a bit of a tangle.

Tossed up on middle, Jaker leans on to defend.

Flights it up this time, on middle and leg, tucked away wide of mid on for a single.

Pushed through quicker and around off, Tawhid Hridoy is late on it but manages to block it off the back foot.

On the shorter side and at the stumps, Hridoy looks to flick but miscues it back to the bowler.

This is bowled on a nagging length and right on middle, Jaker Ali hangs back and gets right behind the line to defend. A maiden!

On the fuller side again and at the stumps, blocked off the front foot.

Tossed up, nice and full at the stumps, blocked off by Ali.

A slight fumble but no harm done! The quicker arm ball, sliding back onto middle, Jaker Ali backs away and exposes the stumps before chopping it down towards point where Kuldeep Yadav misfields.

Nicely flighted up on the stumps, Jaker Ali blocks it off the front foot.

This is tossed up full and on middle, Jaker Ali looks to use his feet but has to adjust and blocks it off the inside part of the bat onto his boot.

Dishes out a full ball outside off, Jaker Ali strokes it on the up to sweeper cover and picks up a single.

Pushed through quicker and attacking the stumps, Jaker Ali keeps it out.

Dragged length, on middle and leg, this one just holds in the pitch and Ali has to awkwardly block it off.

A risky single but they make it! Bowled at the stumps, Hridoy advances and pushes it straight to mid on before scampering through for one.

Nagging length, closer to the off stump line, kept out by Hridoy.

Bowled on a dragged length and outside off, turning further away, Ali rocks back and taps it wide of point for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! Won't be an exaggeration to say that India is all over their opponents, reducing them to 62/5. But, a positive thing for Bangladesh is that they haven't lost a wicket in the last seven overs or so. This partnership between Jaker Ali and Tawhid Hridoy, though through some nervy moments, is progressing steadily. But, these two have a marathon task up their sleeves, as they are not only the last recognized batting pair for Bangladesh, but also with an aim to keep the scoreboard moving and batting longer. The pitch has appeared to be a bit on the slower side, and the Bangladesh batters looked flashy to negotiate the skid and bounce. Let's see how this phase pans out for both sides with the Indian spin of Jadeja and Axar in tandem. Axar Patel to continue after the hydration break.

Bowled fuller and on off, Jaker gets on the front foot and drives it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! A bit edgy but the batter knew what he was doing there. On the shorter side and outside off, Jaker Ali shimmies to the leg side and cuts it late and fine of short third for a boundary. Bangladesh just starting to fine their feet in the game now.

This is pushed through on off, Ali strokes it away towards covers.

Oh, a bit of grip there! Nagging length on off, Jaker Ali looks to come forward but has to adjust and blocks it off.

Similar line and length, Hridoy rocks back and pushes it down through wide mid on for a run.

Good hustle from the batters! Flatter delivery darted in at the pads, Tawhid Hridoy stays back and tucks it away behind square leg and picks up a quick brace.

On a length and angled into the stumps, Jaker defends this with an open stance.

Just floats this one on the pads, Jaker Ali gets inside the line and sweeps it wide of fine leg for a couple of runs.

Dragged length, angled in on middle and leg, punched down to long on for a single.

Beaten! Floated up a bit fuller and outside off, turning away, Hridoy reaches across to block but is beaten by the turn.

Drags the length by pitching outside leg. It lands and turns towards the stumps sharply. Tawhid Hridoy is squared up for room as he weighs on the back foot to work it to the leg side. Closes the bat face a bit too early and gets a leading edge to backward point.

Starts from around the stumps and bowls it flat at the stumps, tapped away through covers for one.

Ravindra Jadeja is into the attack now, replacing Hardik Pandya.

Nice and full, straight as well, Tawhid Hridoy leans on to block.

Oh, was there an inside edge? Lands this one full and close to the off stump line, Tawhid Hridoy strides out to block but the ball beats bat and pad and it isn't collected by KL Rahul either. The replays show that the ball flicked the front pad.

Half an appeal for LBW but its turned down. The arm ball now from Axar, around middle and sliding right on. Hridoy looks to work it off the back foot but misses and plays all around it. The ball hits him on the pads and that's probably missing leg.

Flatter again and a bit short as well on off, Tawhid Hridoy backs away and taps it down to point.

Bowled flatter and around off, Hridoy uses the depth of his crease to push it out into the off side.

Nagging length, angled in from around off but this one holds the line, Jaker presses back and punches it past point for a run.

FOUR! Top shot! A bit too short and a bit too wide, Tawhid Hridoy hangs back well and reaches out before cutting it firmly and well behind point for a handy boundary.

Hits the had length on off and gets the ball to angle back in, Hridoy gets cramped but manages to flick it away to mid-wicket.

Just back of a length again and outside off, Jaker gets across to the off side and punches it sweetly down to deep covers for one more.

Back of a length and around off, Hridoy gets up on his toes and eases it wide of point for a single.

Oh, that nearly skid through! The off-cutter from Pandya, on a good length and this one jags back in, Jaker Ali is late on the shot and jars at it, getting an inside edge past the stumps and down to fine leg for one.

Nagging length, attacking the off stump line and gets the ball to just shoot up off the deck, Ali is taken aback but manages to fend it away.

Drags the length right back, Jaker Ali hops back and cuts the ball away wide of backward point and picks up another single.

Stump-to-stump bowling, on the fuller side, watchfully blocked off.

Just a tad shorter in length and around off, Hridoy rocks back and taps it wide of covers for a single.

Bowled flat and on off, Tawhid Hridoy leans on to defend.

Slides this one into the pads, Jaker Ali tucks it away neatly through backward square leg for a single.

Just a tad fuller and angled into middle and leg, Jaker Ali leans on and nudges it away to the leg side.

Powerplay 2! A maximum of four fielders are now permitted to be stationed outside the inner ring for the phase of 11-40 overs.

Bangs a short-of-a-length delivery, around middle, Tawhid Hridoy hops up and looks to drag it to the leg side but manages to toe-ends it towards mid-wicket.

Hard length, around off, Hridoy stays on the back foot and defends it towards cover.

Back of a length, around off, Hridoy hangs back and opens the face of the bat to guide it towards third man.

WIDE! Again similar line and length, wide outside off, Tawhid Hridoy looks to chase it but misses. Called a wide.

WIDE! Bangs in short of a length but wide outside off, with pace off, Tanzid Hasan lets it go. Called a wide.

On a good length, around off, Tawhid Hridoy hops up a bit and drops it down to cover.

A tight single! Goes fuller does Hardik, on the fourth stump, Jaker Ali comes forward and drives it wide of mid off and runs off for a quick single.

On a good length, around off, Jaker Ali presses forward and turns it towards mid-wicket.

Hardik Pandya comes intco the attack now.

Tossed up, this time, around off, Tawhid Hridoy comes forward and defends it right under his eyes.

Drops it short, just outside off, Jaker Ali pushes it towards point off the back foot for a single.

EDGED AND DROPPED! Hat Trick chance created, missed! Out of all, it is Rohit Sharma who shells the catch. He is patting the ground in anger and understandably so as the catch was at a really comfortable height. Axar continues to bowl at that testing line and length, around off, with a good bit of loop on it. A yard behind the fuller length, turning away a bit off the deck. Jaker Ali leans ahead and tries to ease it to the off side, but the ball takes some bounce off the surface and goes off the outside edge, flatly towards the left of the first slip fielder. Rohit Sharma gets his hands on the ball, and juggles a bit, but fails to cling to it and shells it in the end. Jaker Ali gets a lifeline.

Jaker Ali is in to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! TWO-IN-TWO FOR AXAR AND HE IS ON A HAT TRICK! He bowls on a nagging length again, and just outside off, tempts the batter to go for a drive, with a good bit of an away turn from the surface. Mushfiqur Rahim presses forward and looks to defend it but generates an outside edge only as KL Rahul moves to his right a bit and takes it with both hands. This time, both Axar and Rahul go up in a celeb appeal and the umpire Paul Reiffel raises his finger instantly. Bangladesh are half side down - 35/5.

Mushfiqur Rahim walks in with Bangladesh in a spot of real bother.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Bangladesh are four down and Axar Patel picks up his first wicket in just two balls! A bowling change from Rohit Sharma has worked off for India and they are cruising here! Axar comes in from around the wicket and keeps it shorter and outside off, Tanzid Hasan stays deep-rooted in the crease and looks to cut it off late. He only manages to get a faint outside edge. The keeper KL Rahul stays alert behind the wickets as he moves his hands a bit left and pouches it. He instantly starts celebrating but Axar Patel is a bit confused. Tanzid is going nowhere, waiting for the umpire to give the verdict on the appeal. The umpire Paul Reiffel raises his finger after long, long thought. Tanzid Hasan consults with his partner and decides against the review. He goes back to the dressing room and Bangladesh are 35/4.

Nagging length, around off and middle, Tanzid looks to flick it but gets a leading edge back to the bowler.

First signs of spin as Axar Patel has now been handed the ball.

On a hard length, just outside off, Hridoy comes forward and blocks it off.

Goes fuller, around middle, Tanzid Hasan nudges it wide of square leg for a single.

FOUR! GETS THE BOUNDARY THIS TIME! Harshit comes around the wicket and bowls on a good length, a bit slower, just outside off, Tanzid Hasan comes down the track and looks to loft it over mid on. He doesn't get the desired timing but still clears the fielder and gets the boundary at long on.

A good chase in the field by Rohit! Goes for a yorker, and ends up bowling a low full toss, around middle, Tawhid Hridoy comes forward and just times his flick shot with soft hands through mid-wicket. Rohit Sharma gives it a chase from mid on. The boundary there is around 80 meters long, and the ball slows down on the way to the ropes. Rohit collects and restricts the batter to just three runs.

Back of a length, around off, Hridoy pushes it to cover off the back foot.

There is a loud appeal for caught behind from Rana but the umpire isn't interested and even KL Rahul is not excited as well. India aren't opting for a review here. Harshit bowls slightly fuller and down the leg side, seaming in, Tawhid Hridoy has a swing at it as he looks to flick it but misses. The ball goes and brushes his front pad to the left of the keeper KL Rahul who moves to his left and collects the ball.

Hard length and wide outside off, Tawhid Hridoy gets enough room to extends his arms as he slices it to the left of the point fielder for a single.

Back of a length, just outside off, Tawhid Hridoy presses back and dabs it towards backward point.

On a good length, around middle, Tawhid Hridoy comes forward and defends it back to the bowler.

Nagging length, around middle, Hridoy drops it down towards mid-wicket.

Tawhid Hridoy is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! BANGLADESH'S WOES CONTINUE! Mohammad Shami picks up his second as he comes in from over the wicket and bowls on a good length, and well outside off, gets the ball to move away after pitching. Mehidy Hasan Miraz with no foot movement, goes for a flashy drive and only manages to get a thick outside edge. The ball goes to the right of the first slip fielder where Shubman Gill times his hop well, extends his arms towards the ball, and takes it with both hands. Wicket number 199 for Mohammad Shami in ODIs and Bangladesh are 26/3. A SUPER CATCH BY GILL TO END THE STAY OF MIRAZ!

Back of a length, around leg, coming in with the angle, Mehidy Hasan Miraz hops up a bit and defends it to mid-wicket.

In the air... but falls safe! Pitches up, around middle, Tanzid Hasan transfers his weight to the front foot and lofts it with the full face of the bat over the head of the bowler. Kuldeep Yadav runs behind from mid on and restricts the batter for just a couple.

Again a slower ball, back of a length, on the fourth stump, Tanzid Hasan lets the ball come to him and then drops it down towards cover.

Back of a length, around off, straightens off the deck, Mehidy Hasan Miraz gets squared up and guides it through the outer of the bat to deep third for a single.

Goes fuller, around off, Tanzid Hasan comes forward and looks to flick it but gets in through the inner half of the bat wide of mid on and he runs off for a single.

A bit slower, on a good length, around off, Tanzid Hasan presses forward and dabs it towards cover.

On a good length, from over the wicket, well outside off, going away with the angle, Tanzid Hasan leaves it alone watchfully.

On off, full in length, Mehidy blocks it out to backward point.

FOUR! Fine timing on that one! Shami offers it on a fuller length, on off, Mehidy Hasan Miraz opens the bat face right in the end, and places it perfectly between cover and point for a glorious boundary.

Attacks the stumps, full and on middle and leg, Mehidy Hasan Miraz gets a bit across and taps it out to the right of the bowler.

Bangs it hard into the surface, short and on the stumps, Tanzid Hasan rises with the bounce, pulls it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a single.

FOUR! A shot and a half! On a length, and angling into off, Tanzid Hasan taps his front foot out and picks it up and over mid on for a boundary. Clean strike!

Hard length, on off, Hasan hops off the back foot and keeps it out.

Aims the sticks on a fraction fuller length, Mehidy Hasan Miraz gets right behind it and blocks it off.

WIDE! Going down the leg stump line on a length. Wide called.

Chance of a run out, MISSED! Back of a length, on the pads, Mehidy Hasan Miraz tucks it off the back foot and off the inner half of the bat to widish square leg. Mehidy is rooted to his crease, but his partner, Tanzid is already halfway through trying to steal a single, but is sent back by Miraz. He turns around and scoots back to the bowler's end as the fielder, Shreyas Iyer is quick to get to the ball to his right. He throws but has a shy at the runner's end.

Had to really hurry there! Full and on middle, Tanzid Hasan clips it in front of mid on and straightaway rushes though for a single. Kuldeep Yadav from mid on runs forward, bends low but fails to collect the ball in a go and the batters complete the single.

Slows the pace down now, does Rana, full around off, Tanzid Hasan waits for it to come and blocks it under his eyes.

Oh, dragged on nearly! Hard length, on off, Tanzid Hasan stands tall and tries to pull it across but ends up inside edging it onto the boot, and the ball keeps rolling on the strip.

Two slips in for the left-hander! Rana bashes the hard length, around off, nips away with the angle. Tanzid Hasan feels for it at first, but keeps his bat away from the ball.

Good early call! Two fours and then a single! Back of a length, angling in on middle, Tanzid Hasan tucks it across and in front of mid on for a quick single.

FOUR! Now that's some shot! Lands it full, does Shami around off, Tanzid Hasan shimmies down the track, opens the bat face, and drives it crisply though covers for a cracking boundary.

FOUR! Struck well! The first boundary for Bangladesh! Seam-up delivery, well outside off, on a length, Tanzid Hasan gets the chance to free his arms, goes after it in a flash. Clears the in-field over cover-point and gets a boundary.

Swing and a miss! Shami keeps it outside off on a yard behind fuller length. Tanzid Hasan leans back to execute the square cut, but misses.

Pitched fuller around off, Tanzid Hasan leans on it and works it to cover-point.

Length, on the stumps, knocked across to mid-wicket.

A sharp steep bumper from Rana now. On the bodyline. Mehidy Hasan Miraz tries to opt out but the ball gets big on him and lobs off the glove. Lands behind the stumps in front of the slip cordons.

Good length, angling on the pads, Mehidy Hasan Miraz looks to nudge it across but wears it high on the thigh pad.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz walks in with Bangladesh in early trouble.

OUT! TAKEN! A fantastic start for India as Harshit Rana too, strikes in his very first over! The lean patch for skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto with the bat continues! Harshit Rana fires it in, from over the stumps. The length is fuller and around off with the ball skidding through quickly off the surface. Najmul Hossain Shanto prods forward to access the cover drive but ends up mistiming it badly. It goes off from a bit of the toe-end of the blade and flat towards Virat Kohli at cover who takes a sharp catch around the chest level. A silver duck for Shanto and Bangladesh are pegged back to 2/2.

This one leaves the batter from around off, full in length. Najmul Hossain Shanto shoulders arms at it.

Hard length, outside off, Tanzid Hasan leans back and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Back of a length and outside off, Tanzid hangs back and knocks it to covers.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the skipper walks in at number 3. Also, it will be Harshit Rana to take the other new ball.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shami with an instant impact as he strikes in the very first over. Bangladesh lose Soumya Sarkar on a five-ball duck! With a perfect seam position, Shami lands it on a good length, outside off. It lands, skids through, and nips back into the left-hander. Soumya Sarkar is half-forward to play it on the off side, but ends up playing it away from the body with his feet not up to the pitch of the ball. Hence, an inside edge is found and a simple catch for KL Rahul behind the pegs.

Hits the deck hard, does Shami. Around off, this is tapped off the back foot to the off side by Soumya Sarkar.

Moves a tad closer to the stumps, but still slightly outside off on a hard length. Sarkar offers no shot. The ball nips in a bit and passes above the off pole.

Identical line and length, but this goes straight on from outside off, Soumya Sarkar opts to leave it.

BEATEN! Back of a length, with a hint of an away shape from off, Soumya Sarkar flays at it but the ball beats the bat on the way to the keeper.

First runs on the board for Bangladesh, in a streaky manner though! Shami begins with a slip in place, runs in hard from around the stumps, lands it on a length, angling on off. Tanzid Hasan tries to play it off the back foot but inside edges past the stumps to the widish short fine region for a single.

Done and dusted with the pre-match proceedings and it is now time to play! The Indian players can be seen in a huddle before striding onto the field and the two umpires have taken their places as well. It will be the pairing of Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan to open the innings for Bangladesh. Mohammad Shami has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Just a slip in place to begin with, let's go...

We are just a few minutes away from the start of this contest. But first, the officials will come out to the middle and so will the two sets of players who will line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of India first, followed by the national anthem of Bangladesh.

The captain of India, Rohit Sharma says that they would have fielded first as he feels that when they played here a few years back, it was better to chase the target. Adds that they now just need to focus on what to do with the ball and says that the squad is fit and ready to go and it is about creating some momentum. Mentions that the case with any ICC tournament is that there's no looking back and every game matters which makes it exciting. Informs that from the last ODI they played, Varun Chakaravarthy misses out and Ravindra Jadeja comes back in and Arshdeep Singh also misses out as Mohammad Shami comes in.

The captain of Bangladesh, Najmul Hossain Shanto says that it looks like a good wicket and they want to put some runs on the board. Adds that the last couple of days have been really exciting as all the boys in the squad are really preparing well and they are coming off recently concluded BPL so they are in good momentum. Mentions that he just wants to play well today and the team should believe in themselves to do good. Further adds that there are a couple of injuries as Tawhid Hridoy has come back. Informs that they are going with three seamers with two spinners.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.

Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

TOSS UPDATE - The coin flip lands in the favor of Bangladesh and Najmul Hossain Shanto elects to BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Mel Jones is pitchside. She says that the straight boundary is long at 82 meters and there is a 12-meter difference in both squares of the wicket. Says that there have been a couple of tournaments on this ground including the Women's T20 World Cup and the recently concluded ILT20. Nasser Hussain joins her as he says, the pitch does look fresh and there is a bit of crack but it might get a bit tired in 100 overs of play. Mentions that the other thing is dew as he spoke to the groundsmen and they said, there is no dew at all during this season. Reckons that the scores here in Dubai will be lower than those of Pakistan. They both emphasize that the skipper should bat first if they are winning the toss.

The big question now. Will teams lean more on spin or pace? Both India and Bangladesh boast deadly spin attacks capable of dismantling any batting lineup, yet they also pack a punch with their seamers. However, with the natural slowness of the Dubai wicket, we might see spin dictating terms. And with both subcontinental giants well aware and adapted to slow tracks, it makes the contest even more spicier. But how will the pitch play? Stay tuned for the pitch report, the toss, and team updates to see how the captains choose to tackle these tricky conditions.

Shifting the focus to the conditions, Dubai hasn’t seen an ODI between full-member nations since June 2019, and the history of the venue speaks volumes. Run-scoring has never been a walk in the park, with just two 300+ totals in the past. To put it into perspective, the average first-innings score stands at just a tinge above 200. The last encounter between these two sides in this competition took place in the 2017 Champions Trophy semifinal, which remains Bangladesh's best performance in the tournament. India came out on top that day, and they also lead the head-to-head record 7-3 in the last ten ODIs. However, Bangladesh can draw motivation from their 2022 ODI series win over India, a reminder that turnarounds are possible when the right momentum is built.

However, a promising crop of young talent, fueled by impressive performances in the Bangladesh Premier League, offers hope. The absence of stalwarts like Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das presents a challenge, but veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah remain key figures and the backbone of the batting unit, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz providing vital all-round strength. Perhaps the most promising aspect of Bangladesh’s setup is their pace bowling. With Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman leading the charge, they’re supported by promising young talents like Tanzim Hasan Sakib and the raw pace of Nahid Rana, who turned heads in the recent series against Pakistan. It’s a squad in transition, but one with enough firepower to make an impact.

On the other hand, Bangladesh enters the Champions Trophy eager to recalibrate after a challenging 2024, where they won just three out of nine ODIs and suffered a demoralizing clean sweep against the West Indies. Their goal isn't just to improve their meager record in the tournament, having secured only two wins across all their appearances, but also to rediscover the fearless spirit that once propelled them into the global spotlight. With a point to prove, they’re determined to revive the form that earned them respect on the world stage.

The gears of India's batting machinery are clicking into perfect rhythm at just the right time. Rohit Sharma's return to form, marked by a spectacular century at home, has injected fresh confidence into the top order. The skipper's rediscovered touch couldn't have come at a better moment. Also, the focus remains on Virat Kohli, off a recent fifty, whose uncanny ability to perform under pressure has made him the big-tournament specialist over the years. Kohli’s bat tends to morph into a magic wand during ICC events, and once again, India will count on their stalwarts to lead from the front. However, the team has scored a barrage of 300+ runs for fun in recent years, the form of these two men will only make it challenging for any opposition.

Pooled in Group A, India’s last ICC title success in the ODI format dates back to the 2013 Champions Trophy, as this Indian side arrives in Dubai with renewed vigor and a point to prove. With a perfect blend of experience and emerging talent rounding up their 15-man squad, they're ready to turn the tide in the desert sands. While questions hovered over India's bowling arsenal in Jasprit Bumrah's absence, the recently concluded series against England at home provided emphatic answers with Arshdeep Singh breaking through the opposition batting lineup and Mohammed Shami who fills in for Bumrah. Complementing these seamers is a spin department that is a formidable force - Varun Chakravarthy's mystery paired with Kuldeep Yadav's crafty left-arm wrist spin presents a dual threat. The team’s clinical clean sweep showcased a bowling unit that has evolved beyond dependency on individual brilliance.

Hello, everyone! The ICC Champions Trophy of 2025 has kicked off with a bang. With the curtain raiser setting the tone for what is to follow for the tournament, the competition progresses into Match number 2. We are here at the land of Emirates for the Asian derby as India takes on Bangladesh at the luxurious Dubai International Stadium. On that note, we extend our warm welcome to everyone joining us for the coverage of this spicy rivalry.

... MATCH DAY ...

The wait is over and after a hiatus of 8 years, the ICC Champions Trophy returns! The much-awaited tournament will be played across Pakistan and Dubai with hosts and reigning champions Pakistan looking to repeat their success from 2017. It is now time for Match 2 of the competition between Bangladesh and last time's runners-up India which will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. While history heavily favors India, Bangladesh's recent cricketing revolution makes them a far cry from the pushovers of yesteryear. This promises to be a captivating encounter, a true test of both teams' mettle. India's batting lineup, a constellation of stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and others, possesses the kind of firepower that can dismantle any bowling attack on its day. Their ability to accelerate and chase down big totals is well-documented. However, they'll be wary of a Bangladeshi bowling unit that has shown it can be dangerous. Mustafizur Rahman's variations and cutters will be a constant threat, and the likes of Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz will look to contribute crucial breakthroughs. The last time both teams played an ODI at this venue was back in September 2018 and it was the Asia Cup Final which India won against Bangladesh. India boasts a record of 5 wins in 6 ODI games at this venue which all took place in that 2018 Asia Cup whereas Bangladesh have played 3 and won 1. Talking a bit more about the teams, the biggest miss from India will be Jasprit Bumrah who is out injured and for Bangladesh, their premier all-rounder Shakib al Hasan isn't a part of the squad after failing tests for a suspected bowling action a while back. With the conditions generally pace-friendly in Dubai, India have surprisingly gone with just 3 out-and-out pacers along with Hardik Pandya but they do have 5 proper spinners in the squad which means they want to stick to their strengths regardless of the conditions. On the flip side, Bangladesh have their regular pacers like Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman to go along with the likes of Nahid Rana who is an upcoming star for Bangladesh. As for the batting department, that has always been an area of concern whenever Bangladesh play in big tournaments and against the top teams. A lot will ride on skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto at the number 3 position as he would be looking to anchor the innings, allowing the likes of Tawhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah to attack later on. India on the other hand are coming off a fine batting performance in the home series against England and the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were able to find some crucial form with the likes of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer really coming into their own. All in all, the conditions should balance things out a bit, allowing Bangladesh a chance to attack with their seamers but the real challenge will be for their batters against the seasoned and in-form Indian bowling lineup. Also, if the pitch is on the drier side, we might even see some purchase for the spinners in the first innings which could play a huge role as well in this game. Can Bangladesh pull off a huge upset and start their campaign with a bang? Or will India yet again get the better of their neighbors and march on their merry way? Only time will tell.