Clinical India Begin T20 World Cup Campaign with Confident Win
India kickstarted their T20 World Cup 2025 journey with a commanding win over Bangladesh in their Group A fixture held in Rawalpindi. A sensational century from opener Shubman Gill and a potent spin performance helped India ease past Bangladesh by a comfortable margin in what was a convincing all-round show.
Shubman Gill’s Masterclass Sets the Tone
India were asked to bat first in conditions that appeared favorable for stroke-making early on. Shubman Gill, showcasing his class and composure, played arguably one of his finest innings to date, scoring a fluent and assured century – his first in an ICC tournament.
Alongside captain Rohit Sharma and later with KL Rahul, Gill rotated strike, picked his moments to accelerate, and expertly read the pace of the pitch. In his post-match remarks, Gill noted that the conditions weren’t ideal for front-foot drives and that he and Kohli adapted by working singles off the back foot and finding gaps with clever footwork.
India posted a total around 180, considered more than competitive given the nature of the pitch and the absence of dew.
Spinners Star as Bangladesh Crumble in Powerplay
Bangladesh’s chase got off to the worst possible start. Losing five wickets in the powerplay overs to a combination of Mohammad Shami’s seam movement and Axar Patel’s crafty spin, the Tigers were immediately put on the back foot.
Although middle-order batters Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali stitched together a fighting partnership, the damage had already been done. Bangladesh never truly recovered, and India’s bowlers maintained a stranglehold throughout the innings.
Post-Match Reactions
Rohit Sharma – India Captain
“We assessed the pitch well and executed our plans. Gill and KL played really well, and the experience in our squad helps in these high-pressure games. We’ll continue to adapt as the tournament progresses.”
Najmul Hossain Shanto – Bangladesh Captain
“Losing five wickets early cost us the game. Hridoy and Jaker showed good fight but we missed key chances in the field which could have changed things. We’ll look to bounce back in Rawalpindi.”
Shubman Gill – Player of the Match
“It’s one of my most satisfying innings. Batting wasn’t easy but once I got in, the message from the team was clear – bat through till the end. Glad I could convert it into a hundred.”
Pitch and Tactical Observations
One of the biggest talking points from the game was the absence of dew, which allowed Indian spinners to extract grip and control in the second innings. The Rawalpindi pitch showed clear signs of slowing down under lights, raising questions about whether captains will continue to prefer chasing here.
India’s decision to pack their squad with spinners now seems justified, while Bangladesh may rue not fielding an extra slow bowler like Nasum Ahmed.
What’s Next?
India’s next clash is the much-anticipated encounter against Pakistan, scheduled for Sunday at the same venue. Bangladesh, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as they head to Rawalpindi again, aiming to bounce back in their upcoming games.
South Africa and Afghanistan will get their campaigns underway tomorrow in Karachi, with conditions expected to favor pace more than spin.
Final Thoughts
This was a near-perfect start for India, combining top-order batting resilience with disciplined bowling. For Bangladesh, it’s back to the drawing board, especially in terms of top-order batting and fielding intensity. But with a long tournament ahead, both teams still have everything to play for.
Category: Cricket, T20 World Cup 2025, India National Team, Match Reports
Tags: India vs Bangladesh, T20 World Cup, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Axar Patel, Mohammad Shami, Rawalpindi pitch, ICC T20 2025, India cricket, Bangladesh cricket
