Dubai (AFP): In-form Shubman Gill made an unbeaten 101 to anchor India's chase in a six-wicket win over Bangladesh as the two teams began their Champions Trophy campaign on Thursday in Dubai.
Needing a tricky 229 for victory on a seemingly tough pitch, India rode on Gill's second successive ODI ton to achieve their target with 21 balls to spare.
"Definitely one of my most satisfying innings that I have played and my first century in ICC events," Gill said after being named man of the match. "Very happy with the way I performed."
Skipper Rohit Sharma praised his opening partner, saying, "Gill, we know the class that he has, Shouldn't surprise anyone. It was good to see him bat till the end."
Title favourites India are playing their matches in the 50-over tournament at the Dubai International Stadium after refusing to tour host nation Pakistan over political tensions.
Pace spearhead Mohammed Shami set up victory with figures of 5-53, helping reduce Bangladesh to 35-5 in his opening spell before they recovered to manage 228 all out after electing to bat first.
Towhid Hridoy, who made 100 -- his first ODI ton -- and Jaker Ali (68) put on 154 runs for the sixth wicket to lift the
total, albeit with some assistance from sloppy Indian fielding including two dropped catches.
In reply, India started strongly as Rohit and Gill got going with regular boundaries. Rohit became just the 10th batsman -- and fourth from India -- to surpass 11,000 ODI runs.
The India captain made 41 before he was dismissed by fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and Virat Kohli walked
in to loud cheers from the crowd at a largely empty stadium.
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