 "Champions Trophy 2025: India's semi-final scenarios after crushing Bangladesh")
India took a significant step towards the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a commanding 6-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dubai. The win not only secured two points for India but also solidified their position in Group A alongside New Zealand, who had earlier thrashed Pakistan in their opening fixture and are at the top of the table due to their superior net run rate.
With two points in the bag, India’s path to the semi-finals is almost clear, but the upcoming matches will determine their fate.
Champions Trophy 2025: India’s semi-final qualification scenario
The equation is straightforward for India and New Zealand. If both teams win their next matches, India against Pakistan and New Zealand against Bangladesh, they will secure their spots in the semi-finals, eliminating any further complications.
However, if India or New Zealand lose their next fixture, their hopes of qualification will hinge on the final group-stage clash between them, which is slated to be held on 2 March. The winner of that contest will then book a place in the semi-finals, while the loser could be at the mercy of net run rate, depending on the results of other teams.
Champions Trophy 2025: What if India lose to Pakistan?
If India fail to overcome Pakistan in their next match on 23 February, they will have another chance to qualify when they take on New Zealand in their final group-stage game. A victory in that fixture would almost certainly secure their passage to the knockouts.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsChampions Trophy 2025: India thrash Bangladesh by 6 wickets
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Indian captain Rohit Sharma later said that he wanted to bowl anyway. India got off to a flying start thanks to their star bowler Mohammed Shami, who picked up a wicket in the very first over to put Bangladesh under pressure. Harshit Rana followed suit and picked up another wicket in the next over.
Shami and Axar Patel dismissed three more batters between them and Bangladesh lost five wickets in the powerplay before Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali steadied the ship with a 154-run partnership, the highest 6th wicket partnership in Champions Trophy history. India bowlers eventually dismissed the Tigers for 228 runs in the final over of their innings. Shami picked up a five-wicket haul and completed his 200 ODI wickets .
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill then provided India with an explosive start before the skipper had to depart for 41 runs. Shubman Gill (101*) stitched crucial partnerships with Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul (41*) to help India finish the tricky run chase. Gill was named the Player of the Match for his maiden century in ICC senior-level tournaments.
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