INDIA: India overcame Bangladesh by seven wickets in Pune on Thursday, thanks to an unbeaten century from Virat Kohli, which ensured the hosts’ fourth victory from four World Cup games.
When Kohli needed three more runs to get his century and India needed two more runs to reach the target of 257, the star batsman reached his century and concluded the match in style against spinner Nasum Ahmed with a six. With nearly eight overs remaining, they reached their target and concluded at 261-3.
After making contributions of 85 and 55 not out in recent group triumphs against Australia and Afghanistan, Kohli faced 97 balls, including six fours and four sixes. This century was his third score of more than fifty in four innings. But after losing their last three games, Bangladesh knew they would have to work hard to make it to the semi-finals.
India captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set the stage for Kohli with an opening partnership of 88, while Rohit Sharma gave a hint of India’s plans with a second-ball cover-driven four off Shoriful Islam.
Rohit failed to complete a shot on the following ball after hitting a six off Hasan Mahmud’s delivery. Kohli quickly found his rhythm, hitting a four off a free hit and a magnificent six in a row from consecutive deliveries from Mahmud. Gill’s departure had minimal impact on the run-spree.
Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja led a top-order collapse. Despite being well-positioned at 93 without a loss, the Tigers were restricted to 256-8 after a poor batting performance. Yadav took 1-47, while Jadeja took a meagre 2-38 from his ten overs.
Bangladesh’s 137-4 score was strong after a good opening stand by Tanzid Hasan and Liton Das. Hasan scored his first ODI fifty, a 51, off 41 balls. Liton Das, who remained present, heedlessly lofted Jadeja to long off.
Hardik Pandya left the field after bowling three balls in the ninth over, but for the first time in six years in an ODI, Kohli bowled and finished Pandya’s over. Bangladesh’s total was further reinforced by Mushfiqur Rahim’s 38 and Mahmudullah’s gritty 46.
However, it never seemed sufficient because regular captain and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan was out of the game due to a thigh injury sustained during Friday’s eight-wicket loss to New Zealand in Chennai.
On Sunday, India will play New Zealand in Dharamsala in the ongoing World Cup campaign. On Tuesday, Bangladesh will play South Africa in Mumbai.
Also Read: Australia Clinches Victory over Sri Lanka in World Cup 2023 Clash
