India has started the Champions Trophy 2025 on a high note, defeating Bangladesh by 6 wickets in their first match. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, put up a dominant performance, with Shubman Gill scoring a century and remaining not out at 101 runs. This victory has placed India in a strong position in the tournament, but they still need to win at least two more matches to secure a spot in the semifinals.
The match saw Bangladesh winning the toss and choosing to bat first, but they struggled to get a strong start, losing half of their team at a score of just 35 runs. However, a century partnership between Tawhid Hridoy and Zakir Ali helped Bangladesh reach a score of 228 runs in 49.4 overs. India then chased down the target, with Shubman Gill scoring a century and remaining not out at 101 runs, helping his team win the match in 46.3 overs.
Shubman Gill's performance has broken several records, including the fastest 8 ODI centuries by an Indian batsman. He achieved this feat in just 51 innings, surpassing previous record holders such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Gautam Gambhir. The list of Indian batsmen with the fastest 8 ODI centuries is as follows:
- 51 innings: Shubman Gill
- 57 innings: Shikhar Dhawan
- 68 innings: Virat Kohli
- 98 innings: Gautam Gambhir
- 111 innings: Sachin Tendulkar
Gill's achievement is a testament to his exceptional batting skills and his ability to perform under pressure.
India's next match is against Pakistan on February 23, and a win in this match will help them secure a spot in the semifinals. However, if they lose, their chances of advancing to the next round will depend on their net run rate. The Champions Trophy 2025 is being played among 8 teams, divided into two groups of 4 teams each. India is in Group A, along with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B consists of Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
The points table for Group A is currently led by New Zealand, who have a higher net run rate than India. However, India's win against Bangladesh has given them a strong chance of topping the group and advancing to the semifinals. The tournament is expected to be highly competitive, with all teams fighting for a spot in the finals. India's performance in the remaining matches will be crucial in determining their chances of winning the Champions Trophy 2025.
