Dubai, Feb. 20 -- Shubman Gill, the newly-crowned top-ranked men's ODI batter, hit a gritty eighth century in the 50-over format and led India to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh to kick off their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy campaign on a high at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

After Mohammed Shami's 5-53 helped India bowl out Bangladesh for 228, Gill took his time before grinding it hard on a sluggish pitch and amidst the pressure of wickets falling around to hit an unbeaten 101 off 129 balls, laced with nine fours and two sixes. Though it's his slowest ODI hundred, it was worth its weight in gold for India to go into the clash against Pakistan with more confidence.

Gill got good support from captain Rohit Sharma, who made a...