Virat Kohli’s unbeaten century secured India’s fourth consecutive victory in the World Cup, propelling the hosts to a commanding seven-wicket triumph over Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday.
Renowned batsman Kohli showcased his prowess by achieving a century and finishing the match in style with a resounding six against spinner Nasum Ahmed. He required a mere three runs to complete his century, and India was two runs away from reaching a target of 257. In a display of exceptional cricketing skills, they reached their goal with more than eight overs to spare, concluding at 261-3.
Kohli faced 97 deliveries, including six fours and four sixes, with this century marking his third score exceeding fifty in four innings, following his significant contributions of 85 and 55 not out in recent victories over Australia and Afghanistan.
However, for Bangladesh, this marked their third defeat in four matches, leaving them with a formidable challenge to qualify for the semi-finals.
The stage was set for Kohli by a formidable opening partnership of 88 between India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma (48), and Shubman Gill (53).
Rohit underlined India’s intentions with a majestic four off the second ball, driven elegantly through the covers, as Bangladesh’s bowling coach, Allan Donald, the former South African spearhead, observed from the boundary edge. Rohit, fresh from splendid scores of 131 and 86 against Afghanistan and Pakistan, respectively, sent Hasan Mahmud’s delivery soaring for a colossal six, only to depart when attempting to replicate the feat on the next ball.
Nonetheless, Kohli quickly demonstrated his prowess with a boundary – off a free hit – and an exquisite straight six, both from consecutive Mahmud deliveries. Gill’s departure, as he narrowly failed to clear the boundary ropes for the third time, did little to halt the run-scoring spree.
Before this stellar display, spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja had triggered a top-order collapse against a Bangladesh side that had previously triumphed in three of their four ODIs against India.
The Tigers, who were well-placed at 93 without loss, ended up posting a modest 256-8 after stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto elected to bat on a pitch that favored the batsmen. Jadeja was particularly economical, amassing figures of 2-38 in his allotted ten overs, while Yadav claimed 1-47.
Tanzid Hasan, who notched up his maiden ODI fifty with a commendable 51, and Liton Das (66) set the tone with a commendable opening partnership, despite facing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Yet, Bangladesh subsequently stumbled to 137-4.
The 22-year-old Tanzid, who had previously registered a high score of just 16 in eight ODIs, impressively achieved a fifty off 41 balls before being dismissed lbw by the left-arm wrist-spinner Yadav. Liton Das remained in the crease but carelessly lofted Jadeja’s delivery to long-off.
India found themselves a bowler short after Hardik Pandya managed only three deliveries in the ninth over before hobbling off the field with an ankle injury. In a surprising move, Kohli, who hadn’t bowled in an ODI for six years, completed Pandya’s over.
Mushfiqur Rahim’s 38 and veteran Mahmudullah’s 46 provided some support for Bangladesh’s total. However, with left-arm spinner and regular captain Shakib Al Hasan sidelined due to a thigh injury sustained during Friday’s eight-wicket loss to New Zealand in Chennai, it became evident that Bangladesh’s total was insufficient.
India’s pursuit of a third World Cup title will continue in Dharamsala against New Zealand on Sunday, while Bangladesh is set to face South Africa in Mumbai on Tuesday.
