India will take on Bangladesh in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Thursday, February 20, at the Dubai International Stadium. This Group A clash promises an exciting contest between a strong Indian side and an unpredictable Bangladesh team.
Match Details:
- Fixture: India vs. Bangladesh, Match 2, Group A
- Venue: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai
- Date & Time: Thursday, February 20, 2025, 2:30 PM IST (2:00 PM Local Time)
- Live Broadcast & Streaming: Star Sports Network, JioCinema
Team Overviews:
India:
India enters the tournament in high spirits after a commanding 3-0 ODI series victory over England. Despite missing star pacer Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, the squad remains strong with experienced players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill leading the charge. Under the guidance of coach Gautam Gambhir, India will look to start the campaign with a win.
Bangladesh:
Bangladesh has had a tough time in ODIs recently, suffering series losses to Afghanistan and the West Indies. However, under the leadership of Najmul Hossain Shanto, they will aim to turn things around. With experienced names like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh has the potential to cause an upset.
Key Players:
- Shubman Gill (India): Gill has been in phenomenal form, scoring 259 runs in the recent series against England. His ability to provide a strong start will be crucial for India.
- Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh): The left-arm pacer’s cutters and variations will be effective in Dubai’s conditions. His record against India makes him a key player for Bangladesh.
Head-to-Head Record (ODIs):
- Matches Played: 41
- India Wins: 32
- Bangladesh Wins: 8
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 1
- First-ever Fixture: October 27, 1988
- Most Recent Fixture: October 19, 2023
Pitch Report:
The Dubai International Stadium has historically favored teams batting second, especially with dew setting in during evening matches. The pitch starts slow but improves for chasing teams, making the toss crucial. Captains are likely to opt for bowling first.
Probable Playing XI:
India:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
Bangladesh:
Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Sakib.
-
Live Streaming
India:
- TV Channel: Sony Pictures Network (Specific channel to be announced)
- Live Streaming: SonyLIV app and website
Pakistan:
- TV Channel: Asports
- Live Streaming: Tamasha App, Tapmad
Possible Scenarios:
Scenario 1:
- India wins the toss and opts to bowl first.
- Powerplay Score: Bangladesh 50-70
- Final Score: Bangladesh 250-270
- India wins the match.
Scenario 2:
- Bangladesh wins the toss and opts to bowl first.
- Powerplay Score: India 70-90
- Final Score: India 290-310
- Bangladesh wins the match.
Match Prediction:
India holds the upper hand given their recent form and overall squad strength. However, Bangladesh has the ability to pull off surprises, making this an exciting battle. India will enter as favorites, but Bangladesh could cause trouble if their key players step up.