Tigers no match for India
An in-form India team proved too hot to handle as Bangladesh faced a thrashing seven-wicket defeat in Pune yesterday, marking the Tigers' third consecutive defeat in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup.
India skipper Rohit Sharma was handed a fine for exceeding speed limit while driving his Lamborghini a couple of days ahead of the match, but the right-hander did not hesitate to hit top gear after India came out to chase a modest 257-run target.
Although 'the hitman' was eventually dismissed by Hasan Mahmud after hitting a flurry of sixes and fours en route to a 40-ball 48, India achieved a flying start as Rohit and Shubman Gill added 88 runs inside 13 overs.
The capacity crowd of over 33 thousand Indian supporters Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium witnessed some brutal batting display, leaving the Bangladeshi bowlers helpless.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz eventually sent Gill (53) and Shreyas Iyer (19) packing but Virat Kohli was adamant to ensure the hosts continued their unbeaten run in the tournament. The maestro exhibited a batting masterclass and went on to finish the game off in style with 8.3 overs to spare and, in the process, had also brought up his 48th ODI ton – with a six off Nasum Ahmed's delivery.
Earlier, Bangladesh's quest to bounce back from their losing streak suffered a setback before the match since they had to take the field without skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who could not recover from his thigh injury despite all the suspense that preceded.
However, openers Liton Das and young Tanzid Hasan Tamim provided the finest start of the tournament for Bangladesh. The duo also registered the highest opening stand for the Tigers in World Cup history, adding 93 runs to surpass Mehrab Hossain and Shahriar Hossain's 69-run stand during their historic win against Pakistan in 1999.
Following a string of failures in the tournament, young Tanzid finally showed glimpses of his talent and why the team management backed him up for the apex event. Tanzid struck several lusty blows, amounting to five fours and three sixes, while notching up his maiden fifty in the format.
Once Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Tanzid (51 off 40), Bangladesh, who were eyeing a 300-plus total, lost way in the middle. From 93 without loss - the Tigers went on to lose four wickets in the span of 44 runs, tilting the momentum heavily in favour of the home side.
Stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (8) at number three departed cheaply, soon followed by in-form Miraz (3). The onus, thus, fell on Liton to compensate for the mini collapse but the elegant batter, who registered his second fifty in the ongoing tournament, fell to a soft dismissal at the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja after scoring team-high, 66 off 82 balls, laced with seven boundaries.
Experienced Mushfiqur Rahim tried to consolidate the innings but he perished untimely after scoring 38 off 46. Mushfiqur's removal was largely down to Jadeja's brilliant diving catch at point.
Afterwards, it was Mahmudullah Riyad's lone battle that helped his side post a respectable total of 256 for nine. The experienced cricketer was dismissed in the final over after striking three fours and as many sixes for his 36-ball 46.