India powers into semi final after beating Bangladesh by 109 runs
Quarter Final 2 India V Bangladesh played at Melbourne Cricket Ground
India 302-6 off 50 overs, Rohit Sharma 137 in 126 balls, Suresh Raina 65 in 57 balls, Taskin Ahmed 69-3, Rubel Hossain 56-1; Bangladesh 193 all out 45 overs, Shabbir Rahman 30, Nasir Hossain 35, Umesh Yadav 31-4, Mohammad Shami 37-2
India won by 109 runs
Rohit Sharma’s domineering 126-ball 137 with 14 fours and 3 mighty sixes and a catalyst master for acceleration and fiery spells from Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami ensured Bangladesh was in the back foot.
India were struggling at 99 for 2, with Virat Kohli already back in the pavilion. India indulged to score 147 runs in the final 15 overs. Rohit and Suresh Raina a natural stroke maker added 122 in 95 balls and, although no one else crossed 30, a late flourish from Ravindra Jadeja was enough to push India past 300, a total that had never been chased successfully at the venue. Raina went on to 65 from 57 balls, 7 fours and 1 six, playing some cheeky strokes behind square on the legside. Raina’s subtle back cut between cover and point fielder was a beauty to watch and so was his huge six off Shakib. Rohit needed 108 balls for his hundred ensured that India didn’t lose any impetus.
Tamim Iqbal tried to do the same for Bangladesh at the start of the chase, taking three fours off a Shami over. But Yadav at the other end was lethal, and a delivery that left him was edged behind for MS Dhoni to take a low catch. Soumya Sarkar played the next ball behind point as Imrul Kayes charged down the pitch. Jadeja’s throw to Yadav ensured run out.
Mahmudullah, whose recent centuries against England and New Zealand, added 40 with Sarkar, even as they fell steadily behind the required rate. Shami, who had gone for 18 in his first two overs, then returned to land two priced wickets. Dhawan took a magnificent catch at fine leg to dismiss Mahmudullah, lobbing the ball up and stepping over the rope before coming back into the field to gather.
Bangladesh were never in the contention as India hardly took their foot off the pedal to dismiss Bangladesh for 193 in 45 overs. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men who have now recorded their seventh win on the trot in this ICC World Cup Cricket.
Yadav, who was a constant threat with his pace and hostility, finished with four for 31 as India bowled the opposition out for a seventh straight match.
India, is the first team to bowl out the opposition in seven consecutive World Cup games, will now take on the winner of Friday’s third quarter-final between Pakistan and Australia in Adelaide.