Despite the early breakthroughs, it was the emptiness of the stadium that became the focal point.
25,000 Seats Cricket Stadium Remains Empty during India-Bangladesh Match. India kicked off its Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Despite the dominant performance on the field, the match was marred by a disappointing turnout, with a large number of empty seats in the 25,000-capacity arena.
India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami and Axar Patel, dismantled Bangladesh’s batting lineup early on. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s decision to bat first backfired dramatically as his side was reduced to a perilous 35/5 within the first 10 overs. Shami’s exceptional spell, which earned him a match-winning figure of 5/53, proved to be the highlight of the innings. Patel, on the brink of a hat-trick, also played a pivotal role in securing early breakthroughs.
Despite the early breakthroughs, it was the emptiness of the stadium that became the focal point. For a team like India, which usually commands massive crowds, the sight of empty stands raised concerns about the future of One-Day International (ODI) cricket. Speculation began to mount about whether the Champions Trophy and the 50-over format were losing their appeal, especially in the face of ever-growing interest in shorter formats like T20s.
Commentators and former cricketing figures weighed in on the issue. Michael Vaughan, former England captain, voiced his disappointment over the lack of fan engagement, especially for a marquee event like the Champions Trophy. Lalit Modi, the former IPL chairman, further sparked debates by questioning the relevance of ODI cricket. On X, Modi wrote: “Watching the @ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between #India and #Bangladesh. Stands are empty. That would not happen at an #IPL game. Is the one-day format becoming irrelevant to the fans? What’s your view? Should one-day cricket be scrapped and more Test cricket?”
While the empty stands garnered attention, India’s performance on the field was nothing short of impressive. Shubman Gill played a masterful knock, scoring 101* off 129 balls, leading India to a comfortable victory with six wickets remaining and 21 balls to spare. His century guided India to a total of 229, ensuring a smooth chase despite the early setbacks.
India’s comprehensive win over Bangladesh was a testament to their strength and depth, but the empty seats in the stadium highlighted a growing concern about the future of ODI cricket in the face of changing fan preferences.
