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The much-anticipated tournament is finally here, and fans are eager to see their team begin their journey on a strong note. India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, will take on Bangladesh in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM IST on 20th February.
India last won this competition in 2013 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni but suffered a heartbreaking loss in the 2017 final against their biggest rivals. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will look to make an impact after struggling in recent ODI fixtures. With both teams having something to prove, this game promises to be an exciting battle.
Match Details
| Match | India vs Bangladesh, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 |
|---|---|
| Date | 20th February 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Format | ODI |
Teams Preview
Bangladesh Preview
Bangladesh enters this competition on the back of a difficult phase in ODIs. They were recently whitewashed by West Indies after losing a series to Afghanistan. The absence of experienced players like Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal has left a huge gap in the team, putting pressure on the likes of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Taskin Ahmed to step up.
The top order remains a weak point, with Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar opening the innings. Sarkar has shown some promise with a half-century against West Indies, but consistency is still an issue. Najmul Hossain Shanto, the most reliable batter in the team, will play a crucial role at number three. He has been in fine form, averaging over 80 in the last six ODIs.
Bangladesh’s middle order, featuring Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah, will be key. Miraz has performed well against India in the past, averaging 47, while Rahim brings immense experience, having scored 750 runs against India in ODIs. Mahmudullah, who was Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer last year, will also be a key player.
In the bowling department, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman will lead the attack. Taskin was the team’s highest wicket-taker in 2024, while Mustafizur has an excellent record against India, with 25 wickets in just 12 ODIs. Miraz will take charge of the spin attack and will be expected to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI:
Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar (c), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana
India Preview
India comes into this game full of confidence after a dominant series win against England. The team will be without Jasprit Bumrah, who is out due to injury, but Harshit Rana has been named as his replacement.
Rohit Sharma will open alongside Shubman Gill. Sharma has been in outstanding form, scoring over 1200 runs since 2023 at an average of more than 50. His record in Dubai is phenomenal, making him a dangerous prospect for the Bangladesh bowling attack. Gill has also been consistent, accumulating over 1300 runs in the last two years. Virat Kohli, who found his rhythm in the England series, will be crucial in stabilizing the middle order.
Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja strengthen the middle order. Rahul has been one of the best finishers for India in ODIs recently, averaging above 50, while Pandya and Jadeja provide balance with their all-round abilities. Jadeja has been particularly impressive with the ball, picking up 37 wickets since 2023.
The bowling attack will be led by Mohammad Shami, with Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav playing key roles. Shami is returning from an injury but remains a major threat, having taken 38 wickets in his last 16 ODIs. Kuldeep Yadav has been India’s top spinner in ODIs in recent years, with 44 wickets since 2023.
India Predicted Playing XI:
Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel
Fantasy Team XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeeper | KL Rahul |
| Batters | Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Najmul Hossain Shanto |
| All-rounders | Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja |
| Bowlers | Mohammad Shami, Mustafizur Rahman, Kuldeep Yadav |
Pitch Report
Dubai International Cricket Stadium offers a well-balanced surface, providing assistance to both batters and bowlers. The new ball tends to swing under lights, making early wickets crucial. Pacers will enjoy some extra bounce, while spinners can expect some turn as the match progresses.
- Average First Innings Score: 218
- Highest Total Recorded: 355
- Preferred Strategy: Teams chasing have won 34 out of 58 ODIs played here.
Toss Prediction: Bowl First
With a strong trend of chasing teams winning at this venue, captains are likely to opt for bowling first.
Winning Prediction
India has a significantly stronger squad compared to Bangladesh. Their top-order batters have 14 centuries and 30 half-centuries since 2023, all averaging over 50. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has struggled to find consistent match-winners. While Bangladesh has won three of the last five ODIs against India, history favors India in major tournaments.
Prediction: India to win against Bangladesh
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