Sports Desk: Virat Kohli scored 103 not out, his 48th ODI century, guiding India to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in Pune. Chasing a target of 257, India were always in the driver’s seat but Kohli’s unbeaten ton added more joy to the team’s victory.
It was also India’s fourth consecutive win in the tournament. Shubman Gill (53) and Rohit Sharma (48) also impressed with the bat. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja claimed two wickets apiece as India restricted Bangladesh to 256 for 8 in 50 overs after stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat.
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.
India lost Pandya as early as in the ninth over, when he tried to stop a straight drive off Litton Das’ bat with his right foot and fell on the ground. Pandya received initial treatment on the field but as he began moving to his bowling mark, it became clear he would not continue and left the field subsequently.
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 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.
Rohit and Shubman produced another impressive start for India by smashing 88 runs for the first wicket. Rohit scored 48 runs off 40 balls to go top in the scoring chart of the tournament while Gill scored 53 runs to continue his sensational form in 2023.
Virat Kohli entered the field after Rohit’s dismissal in the 13th over and kept India in control with crucial partnerships with Shreyas Iyer and K L Rahul. Iyer scored 19 runs before getting dismissed while attempting a six over the mid-on in the 30th over.
Kohli and Rahul avoided further wickets as India reached closer to the target. Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 runs while Kohli accelerated his innings to clinch a brilliant century. He finished the game with a huge six off Nasum Ahmed in the 42nd over and remained unbeaten on 103 off 97 balls.
