Shubman Gill Leaks Dressing Room’s Message After India’s Champions Trophy Victory vs Bangladesh

Shubman Gill led India over the line with a six-wicket victory during their opening clash of the Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It’s a huge confidence boost for the blue brigade before the mouth-watering clash over Pakistan at the same venue on February 23.

The Rohit Sharma-led side could have found themselves in the mud during the 229-run chase, but Gill’s magnificent unbeaten century ensured that they would go past the winning line comfortably, thanks to the undefeated 87-run victory for the fifth wickets with KL Rahul.

India opens Champions Trophy account against Bangladesh

Winning the toss, the Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, decided to bat first under the dry heat on a slow surface. The dew didn’t make its presence in the season at all, and that could also be a reason behind the decision. But Rohit Sharma was fully happy with the choice, as he wanted to bowl first.

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It took Mohammed Shami just six balls before drawing the first blood before Harshit Rana joined the part in his fourth ball of the encounter. Mehidy Hasan Miraz got a promotion to number four, but Shami sent him back inside the first seven overs. Axar Patel’s left-arm spin collected two successive wickets for Tanzid Hasan Sakib and Mushfiqur Rahim for Bangladesh.

But Rohit dropped a sitter on the hat-trick ball. Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali put up a 154-run stand for the sixth wicket between them, thanks to the 100-run knock from Hridoy, while Jaker smashed 68 runs to help the Tigers go beyond the 200-run mark. Shami enjoyed five wickets in the first innings.

Rohit provided an aggressive start to India’s chase, but Shubman Gill held one end till crossing the finishing line, as he notched up his seventh century in the 50-over format to carry them over the line with six wickets in hand with 21 balls to spare.

Shubman Gill reveals dressing room’s advice during India’s chase

Shubman Gill played an instrumental role in the blue brigade’s chase, as he anchored the innings beautifully with his second consecutive century in the 50-over format, followed by the one in Ahmedabad against England.

However, India faced two successive blocks in the chase, as Virat Kohi’s short stay of 22 runs in 38 balls came after Rohit returned to the pavilion after his 41 runs in 36 deliveries. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel also failed to contribute to the rescue.

“It is one of his most satisfying innings (His first century in ICC events). When I and Rohit went out there, just cutting the ball wasn't easy because the balls outside the off stump weren't coming onto the bat. So I tried using my feet against the fast bowlers and go over the circle.” Shubman Gill expressed during the post-match presentation ceremony.

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“Then when the spinners came on, I and Kohli spoke of how it wasn't easy to hit singles on the front foot. So we concentrated on playing back. At one point, there was pressure on us, and the message came from the dressing room that one batter had to bat through to the end. The first six gave me a lot of confidence, the second one got me closer to a hundred, so both were satisfying,” India’s vice-captain addressed in the presser.

Shubman Gill eyes to carry the same form vs Pakistan

India will face Pakistan on the same ground, and by winning that contest, they can qualify for the semifinal of the tournament. Shubman Gill has struggled with 84 ODI runs in three innings at 28, thanks to the best score of 58 against Pakistan.

However, he will aim to maintain the same momentum in the next encounter against the Green Brigade, who will be in the fixture after the opening defeat against New Zealand.