Pune, Oct 19: India defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets to secure their fourth successive victory in the World Cup here on Thursday.
Virat Kohli anchored India’s 257-run chase with an unbeaten 103 (97b; 6×4, 4×2) as the hosts completed the task in 41.3 overs. This was Kohli’s 48th ODI hundred.
Skipper Rohit Sharma (48; 40b) and Shubman Gill (53; 55b) gave India a perfect start with an 88-run opening partnership.
Electing to bat, Bangladesh were restricted to 256 for eight. Jasprit Bumrah (2/41), Mohammed Siraj (2/60) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/38) claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, As has been the case with each of India’s opponents in the World Cup so far, scoring runs against arguably the best bowling attack in the competition proved a big ask for Bangladesh too, who managed a modest 256/8 on a batting-friendly surface here Thursday.
In fact, Bangladesh squandered a terrific start which had them placed formidably at 90 for no loss after 14 overs, but India’s bowling once again came to fore on a featherbed here, despite the hosts lacking all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who hobbled off the field having twisted his ankle.
With all options at his perusal, the fact that Rohit Sharma chose Virat Kohli to complete the injured Pandya’s over – with India still in search of first breakthrough – showed how assured India are with their bowling attack is in this competition.
Kuldeep Yadav provided the first breakthrough and Ravindra Jadeja the second, as it was India all the way with Bangladesh going at under five runs per over after a robust beginning.
In fact, Jadeja’s was the standout performance with the all-rounder producing a measly 10-0-38-2 and a superb diving catch to dismiss Mushfiqur Rahim.
But the initial exchanges belonged to the young Tanzid Hasan, who struck a dazzling maiden fifty scoring 51 off 43 balls (5x4s, 3x6s).
Litton Das made 82-ball 66 (7x4s), whereas Rahim’s 38 and a late charge from Mahmudullah (46, 36 balls, 3x4s, 3x6s) brought the Tigers their runs.With no assistance from the surface, the task to make early inroads with the new ball appeared challenging even though Jasprit Bumrah (2/41) found some movement in the air.(PTI)
