Virat Kohli sent the Pune locals into a frenzy with an unbeaten World Cup hundred to guide them to a seven-wicket win against Bangladesh.
Virat Kohli hit a century in yet another successful run chase as India maintained a perfect record in their home World Cup to record a fourth straight win with a clinical seven-wicket win against Bangladesh.
Kohli finished with an unbeaten 103, hitting a six to reach his hundred, sending the crowd into a frenzy and securing victory for India with 51 balls to spare on Thursday as they eased to their target of 3-261.
The only question in the end was whether Kohli would reach his 48th ODI hundred, which he did with a superb maximum over deep midwicket. He is now just one century behind compatriot Sachin Tendulkar’s world record of 49 in ODIs.
Batting alongside KL Rahul, Kohli, who expertly navigated his way to the three-figure milestone, denied singles more than once before reaching the milestone with his fourth six.
Bangladesh were asked to conjure up something extraordinary to upset an Indian team that went into the match on the back of three consecutive wins, a task made all the more difficult in the absence of captain Shakib Al Hasan with an injury.
After stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat, Bangladesh failed to capitalize on a 93-run opening stand between Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan to post 8-256 on a good pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
It was a clinical effort from India’s attack, considering they were one bowler short from the start of the match after Hardik Pandya twisted his ankle in his first over.
Captain Rohit Sharma led India’s quick-fire reply and the ever-brilliant Kohli sealed India’s victory with 51 balls to spare with his 97-ball ton.
When Bangladesh batted, the first six overs yielded just 19 runs after stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat.
Kuldeep Yadav drew first blood by catching Tanzid lbw and India claimed three quick wickets to pin Bangladesh.
Jadeja produced an equally spectacular catch at backward point to cut short Mushfiqur Rahim’s promising knock for 38 before Mahmudullah smashed a quick-fire 46 to help Bangladesh clear the 250 mark.
Rohit (48) then ignited the overs just like he had done in the last two matches when India started their chase.
Shubman Gill (53) was initially content to admire his captain’s easy shooting before joining the party by hitting Nasum Ahmed for two sixes in the same over.
Hasan Mahmud bowled Rohit but followed it up with two no-balls and Kohli gleefully smashed a four and a six from the resulting frees to ease any pressure on India.
Gill couldn’t build on his half-century hiding with Mahmudullah on the boundary before the Kohli show really started.
“I’m sorry I stole it for Jadd (Jadej),” Kohli said after receiving the man of the match award.
“I wanted to contribute a lot. I got 50th in the World Cups, this time I wanted to finish it.”
