HOT STUFF: Shubman Gill and Mohd Shami FIRE in Champions Trophy opener

It may be tempting to presume the Men In Blue achieved a perfect win against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy lung opener in Dubai on Thursday. However, if you had viewed the match with a critical eye, there is room for improvement. And there is need to step up the intensity as well, since the next match against Pakistan on Sunday will be high octane.

First the positives, the return of old warhorse Mohammed Shami, after a long injury layoff, was important. For those who think Shami did a great job against England in the ODI series, that is wrong. What he produced against Bangladesh, who did make India sweat a bit for a win was hard work. Shami has dropped pace for sure but where he makes up is the use of the seam and how he moves the ball. In a statistical parlance, getting to 200 ODI wickets is a big feat which Shami has achieved. Congratulations.

For those who have forgotten, Shami has more responsibility on his shoulders these days with Jasprit Bumrah cooling his heels at rehab in Bengaluru. It is clear, Bumrah has to get a 100 per cent fit. The question is not whether he will be turning out in Mumbai Indian colours right through the IPL 2025, which begins so soon after the Champions Trophy. Bumrah will definitely be needed for the high stakes Test series against England this summer. Whether the BCCI wants him to shoulder the Test captaincy load or not remains to be seen, but he will be back emphatically.

On a week day, it was a sore sight to see empty seats in Dubai. If crowds are not turning up for an India versus Bangladesh match, it is not a good sign. Everyone cannot be just a fan for a match between India and Pakistan, which will unfurl on Sunday in Dubai. Back to Shami, his long absence has been a tough one. To undergo an Achilles Heel surgery and undergo long rehab was not easy. On return, the load he was subjected to was intense in the Ranji Trophy. He developed knee inflammation. Again, that led to a worry if he is fit.

Well, the way he bowled against Bangladesh was inspiring and the five-wicket haul was rich. Yet, if Shami has to himself analyse, he will agree the match against Pakistan will be no-holds barred. Shami has added muscle to his frame and also looks strong. In addition, he has undergone hair  transplant, visible from the TV images. He looks good at this point of time, though, it may not be a bad idea to press with Arshdeep Singh in the next match against Pakistan instead of Harshit Rana. Shami knows despite this one solid performance, what will define him is how often he can repeat it. Pakistan will be his acid test, though Shami is not the one to fear the ‘Green’ batters from across the Indian border.

Another highlight from the India versus Bangladesh contest was the way vice-captain Shubman Gill crafted his century. To slam back-to-back tons in ODIs, his favourite format, was attractive. It was nice to see the skipper and his deputy, Rohit Sharma and Gill in turbo charge mode at the top. Rohit was looking sheepish after he dropped a catch in the slips to deny Axar Patel a hat-trick. Anyway, the way Rohit was banging his palm on the ground in turf, as if to say sorry, said it all. He is a safe guy in slips, but this time the ball slipped.

It was good to see Gill in combat mode. This young man was dropped for the ICC T20 World Cup last year. His form in Australia during the BGT Series was shaky. In India, he has tuned up well with fluent knocks against England in the ODIs. The think-tank in the BCCI has imposed great faith in him and handed him vice captaincy. It is a clear sign they want him to lead in the 2027 World Cup. Leadership comes with responsibility, so Gill scoring runs is important for himself and India.

As for those who did not do too well on Thursday, Sunday against Pakistan will be more important. Be sure, Roht also flash the bat blade with panace.