India captain Rohit Sharma was visibly frustrated after dropping a straightforward catch at first slip, a miss that denied Axar Patel a dream hat-trick in India's opening group-stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh. Rohit’s rare lapse on the field came at a crucial juncture when India was completely dominating the game, and Axar was on the verge of creating history with what could have been his maiden hat-trick in ODI cricket.
Axar Patel, who was introduced into the attack as the first-change bowler, wasted no time in making an impact. In just his first over, he sent shockwaves through the Bangladesh camp by dismissing Tanzid Hasan and experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim in consecutive deliveries. The left-arm spinner was extracting significant turn and bounce from the Dubai International Stadium pitch, putting the Bangladeshi batters under immense pressure. Recognizing that Axar was in red-hot form and had a golden chance to complete a hat-trick, Rohit Sharma decided to set an attacking field, placing three slips in position. Rohit himself took up the crucial first-slip spot, while Shubman Gill stood at second slip and Shreyas Iyer was stationed at leg slip.
On the hat-trick ball, Axar bowled a beautifully flighted delivery outside off-stump, inviting Jaker Ali to play at it. The batter, caught off guard by the sharp turn, could only manage a thick outside edge, which flew directly toward first slip, where Rohit was perfectly positioned. The ball came at a comfortable height, giving the Indian captain more than enough time to react and take a straightforward catch. However, in a shocking moment, Rohit fumbled the ball and let it slip through his hands, much to the disappointment of Axar and the entire Indian team. Rohit, known for his safe hands in the slips, immediately slammed the ground in frustration, realizing the gravity of his mistake. Axar, who was just seconds away from etching his name in the record books, could only place his hands on his head in disbelief.
Despite Rohit's costly drop, India continued to assert their dominance in the game. The early breakthroughs had already set the tone, and Bangladesh found themselves completely on the back foot. The Indian new-ball duo of Mohammed Shami and young pacer Harshit Rana had already wreaked havoc in the powerplay, troubling the Bangladeshi top order with their disciplined lines and intelligent variations. Shami, in particular, was breathing fire with the ball, using seam movement to outfox the batters and making life miserable for them.
Axar Patel’s introduction into the attack only worsened Bangladesh’s woes. The left-arm spinner, who has been a vital cog in India's spin department, bowled with precision and confidence, making full use of the helpful conditions. Even though Rohit’s drop denied him a rare hat-trick, Axar remained focused and continued his spell, building pressure on the struggling Bangladesh lineup. His ability to turn the ball sharply and deceive batters with his flight made him a serious threat throughout the innings.
India’s dominance in the early part of the match was so overwhelming that Bangladesh found themselves reeling at five wickets down within the first 10 overs. Their decision to bat first after winning the toss appeared to have completely backfired, as the surface had enough movement and grip to assist both pacers and spinners. The top-order batters looked clueless against the disciplined Indian attack, failing to construct partnerships or counter the pressure.
Amidst the chaos, Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali stepped up for Bangladesh, showing resilience and grit in the face of adversity. Their partnership, though far from a game-changing one, at least helped the team avoid total humiliation and provided some stability. By sticking to their basics and playing sensibly, they managed to keep the scoreboard moving, ensuring that Bangladesh wasn’t bowled out within the first 20 overs.
For India, Rohit's dropped catch may have been a moment of disappointment, but their overall performance in the powerplay reaffirmed their dominance in the contest. With both pacers and spinners in peak form and the fielding unit largely sharp (barring Rohit’s rare mistake), India remained in firm control of the game. As the match progressed, the focus would be on maintaining the same level of intensity and ensuring that no further lapses occurred.
Rohit, a seasoned leader, will surely hope that his missed catch doesn’t come back to haunt the team later in the match. Given India’s commanding start, they would be eager to wrap up the Bangladesh innings quickly and set themselves up for a comfortable chase. However, cricket is a game of uncertainties, and India would need to stay on their toes to ensure they convert their early dominance into a comprehensive victory.
