BAN vs IND: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 – Match Preview & Prediction
India is set to begin its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 20th. This much-anticipated clash promises an exciting start to the tournament, with India aiming for another title and Bangladesh looking to prove its mettle despite recent form struggles.
Match Prediction & Analysis
India enters this fixture in red-hot form, having recently whitewashed England in a three-match ODI series. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the top, the batting unit looks solid. Sharma’s impressive record in Dubai—317 runs at an average exceeding 100—makes him a key player. While the team will miss Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana has been named as his replacement.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, has faced difficulties in recent ODIs, suffering a 3-0 series defeat against the West Indies and a disappointing performance in their practice match against Shaheens. However, their star player, Najmul Hossain Shanto, has been in exceptional form, averaging 83 with a century and two half-centuries in his last six innings.
Key Players to Watch
Bangladesh
Najmul Hossain Shanto – The in-form batter who will be crucial for Bangladesh’s chances.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Taskin Ahmed – Expected to provide experience and stability.
India
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja – The backbone of India’s batting lineup.
Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, and Hardik Pandya – A well-balanced bowling attack.
Toss Prediction: Bowl First
The Dubai pitch has historically favored teams chasing. With an average first-innings score of 218 and the highest recorded total of 355, the team winning the toss is likely to opt for bowling first.
Weather Conditions
Dubai is expected to have cloudy skies, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 24°C. Winds from the southeast at 8-19 km/h could create a balanced playing environment for both batsmen and bowlers.
Winning Prediction
With their strong squad and recent form, India is favored to win this encounter. While Bangladesh has managed to upset India in the past, their current inconsistency makes India the clear front-runner.
Predicted Winner: India to defeat Bangladesh in this ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match.