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Champions Trophy: India inch to opening victory behind Gill ton and Shami five-for

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1 daysCricket

India made a winning start to their Champions Trophy campaign as Shubman Gill's watchful century and Mohammed Shami's five-for propelled them to a six-wicket triumph over Bangladesh.

India – who are favourites to win the competition despite losing star spinner Jasprit Bumrah to injury – could have registered a more comfortable victory after making a fine start.

They dropped Bangladesh to 35-5 inside 8.3 overs, with Shami and Axar Patel taking two of those wickets apiece, the latter having Tanzid Hasan (25) and Mushfiqur Rahim (0) caught off back-to-back deliveries.

However, Towhid Hridoy's first ODI century ensured Bangladesh would make it competitive, with Jaker Ali also tagging on 68 before dragging Shami's delivery to Virat Kohli for a straightforward catch.

That was Shami's 200th ODI wicket, and he added two more before turning his hand to fielding for the final wicket, getting around from short fine leg to catch Hridoy for 100, leaving India a target of 229.

India took things steadily in their run chase, Gill and Rohit Sharma putting on a first-wicket stand of 69 before the latter was caught by Rishad Hossain for 41.

Hossain would later claim the wickets of Kohli (22) and Patel (8), but that of Gill evaded Bangladesh, the batter continuing his excellent form with an eighth ODI century, and his second in as many matches after hitting 112 versus England in last week's warm-up.

The slow nature of his unbeaten ton – which was clinched in the 46th innings – introduced a few nerves for India, but KL Rahul smashed the decisive six off Tanzim Hasan Sakib's delivery.

India join New Zealand on two points at the top of Group A, but their net run rate of +0.408 could be a concern should the tie-breaker be needed later in the group stage.

Data Debrief: Slow and steady for Gill

Gill entered the tournament with three scores of 50+ in his last three ODI innings, and more centuries in the 50-over format than any other batter since the start of 2023 (six).

His first ton in an ICC event was a slow burner. Coming in 125 balls, it was both his slowest in the format and India's slowest in the last six years.

But the fact Gill could afford to take his time owed much to Shami, who surpassed the landmark of 200 ODI wickets. 

His 200th dismissal came from his 516th ball bowled in the format, the fewest ever required to reach the landmark.