India vs Bangladesh: Three key battles to watch out in Champions Trophy 2025 match including Kohli vs Mustafizur

The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to witness an exciting clash between India and Bangladesh on Thursday, 20 February. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM IST at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India are coming into the tournament on the back of a brilliant series win against England. Bangladesh, on the other hand, lack crucial game time heading into the ICC event as they last played ODIs in December 2024.

With both sides boasting a mix of experienced stars and young talents, this match promises to be a thrilling contest. Here are three key battles that could shape the outcome of the game:

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1. Shubman Gill vs Mehidy Hasan

Shubman Gill has been India’s most consistent opener in recent times, with his ability to play both pace and spin effectively. However, he will face a tough test against Bangladesh’s off-spinner Mehidy Hasan. Mehidy has troubled Indian batters before, especially in subcontinental conditions. Mehidy had dismissed Gill during the India vs Bangladesh clash in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The Bangladeshi bowler will look to replicate that in the Champions Trophy match on Thursday.

2. Rohit Sharma vs Nahid Rana

India’s captain Rohit Sharma is known for his dominance against pace attacks, but he will have to be wary of Bangladesh’s rising fast bowler, Nahid Rana. The young pacer has been making headlines with his ability to generate extra bounce and movement with the new ball. If Nahid can find early breakthroughs and put pressure on Rohit, it could disrupt India’s momentum. On the other hand, if Rohit gets set, he has the ability to take the game away from Bangladesh quickly.

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3. Virat Kohli vs Mustafizur Rahman

One of the most anticipated battles in this fixture is between Virat Kohli and Bangladesh’s ace pacer Mustafizur Rahman. Mustafizur, with his deceptive cutters and pinpoint accuracy, has troubled top batters in the past, including Kohli. However, Kohli’s experience and his records in ODI cricket make him a tough competitor. The battle between Kohli and Mustafizur could be a decisive factor in determining the flow of India’s innings and vice-versa.