BAN vs IND: Top 3 Player Battles to watch out for in Champions Trophy 2025

India(IND) and Bangladesh(BAN) will take on each other in their campaign opener in the second game of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Dubai’s Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host this game tomorrow February 20, at 2:30 PM (IST). It will be a crucial game to win for both teams to start their campaign on a winning note.

A win in the campaign open will strengthen the chances of semi-final qualification. So, both India and Bangladesh will give it their all to put their best foot forward in this all-important game. It will be a big test for both teams to acclimatize to the conditions and pitch in Dubai.

Also Read: ‘I am not looking at them as five spinners’ – Indian skipper Rohit Sharma sends defiant message before first match vs Bangladesh

Here are the top three player battles – India vs Bangladesh, ICC Champions Trophy 2025

3. Rohit Sharma vs Mustafizur Rahman 

Indian batting stalwart and skipper Rohit Sharma regained his batting form with a brilliant century against England in the second ODI of the three-match home series. He has been in a good run of form with the bat in the last six ODI appearances, scoring 326 runs in seven matches with a brilliant average of 46.57. 

While opening the batting for India against Bangladesh, Rohit will face the challenge of the veteran Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who has been in brilliant bowling form in the last 5 ODIs he has played. Rahman has scalped 11 wickets in the last five ODIs, with a decent economy rate of 5.04.

So, it will be an interesting battle to see between the Indian skipper and the star Bangladesh pacer, especially during the powerplay phase.

2. Najmul Hossain Shanto vs Arshdeep Singh 

Bangladesh skipper and star opener Najmul Hossain Shanto is enjoying a purple patch with the bat in the last few ODIs. He has smashed 337 runs in his last six ODI appearances, with an amazing batting average of 84.25. He is also the leading run-scorer for his side in the last couple of ODIs. 

Shanto will face the star India left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in the campaign opener. Arshdeep will be making his Champions Trophy 2025 and being a left-arm pacer, he might be a serious threat to tackle for Shanto in this India vs Bangladesh clash. Arshdeep has scalped 11 wickets in last five ODIs, with a brilliant economy rate of 4.76.

1. Shubman Gill vs Taskin Ahmed 

Star India opener Shubman Gill was in sensational batting form in the recently concluded three-match home ODI series against England. He ended up as the leading run-scorer in the series, hitting 259 runs in three innings with an outstanding average of 86.33, smashing a century and two half-centuries with the bat. 

However, Gill might get some questions from the star Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed when the latter will be taking the new ball duties with the veteran pacer Mustafizur Rahman. Taskin has scalped 14 wickets in the last seven ODIs, with a good economy rate of 5.32. So, it will be an amazing battle to see between an in-form batter and an in-form pacer. 

Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: SWOT analysis of Bangladesh cricket team