India completed their second win against Bangladesh in World Cups © Getty Images
India trounced Bangladesh by 109 runs in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final to become the second team after South Africa to qualify for the semi-finals. Rohit Sharma played a tremendous innings, while Suresh Raina gave him admirable support. In the end, India out-classed Bangladesh in every department. Shiamak Unwalla brings some of the highlights.
India get off to a steady start: As far as starts go, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma didn’t quite get off to a blazing one. The duo ensured that India got a good launch-pad by putting on 75 runs in 16.3 overs before Dhawan was stumped off Shakib Al Hasan. Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Rubel Hossain (centre) celebrates after the dismissal of Virat Kohli (right) © Getty Images
Virat Kohli gets a send-off: Virat Kohli averaged 126 against Bangladesh coming into the game. Unfortunately for him, he was out chasing a wide one outside off. Rubel Hossain, the bowler who got him out, proceeded to send him off with animated and exaggerated celebrations, so much so that he had to be held back by his teammates.
Rohit Sharma shows his class: There is a reason Rohit Sharma is rated as highly as he is. The Indian opener was circumspect early on before opening up later in his innings. Once he got his eye in he was nigh unstoppable, hitting 14 fours and three sixes en route to a 126-ball 137. The lofted drive he hit for six over long off stood out as perhaps the shot of the game. Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Suresh Raina plays a gem: Suresh Raina has been in outstanding form in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. He proved his form with a century against Zimbabwe, but it was his innings here that he will cherish for a long time to come. His 57-ball 65 completely changed the course of the match, and was instrumental in India getting to 300. Top 10 wicketkeepers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Tamim Iqbal rekindles memories of 2007: Back in 2007, India were knocked out of the World Cup because of an abysmal batting performance; but the fact that Bangladesh chased India’s total down was thanks largely to Tamim Iqbal’s blitz at the top. Eight years on, Tamim came out with similar intent, hitting four boundaries in his run-a-ball 25 before edging behind to MS Dhoni off Umesh Yadav. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
Shikhar Dhawan’s juggling act: Mahmudullah was the batsman of the tournament for Bangladesh, having scored two centuries in his last two matches. It was therefore imperative for India to dismiss him early. Mohammed Shami had bowled two expensive overs at the start before coming back well. Mahmudullah was well-set on 21 off 31 when he received a short ball from Shami which he pulled away to fine leg. Shikhar Dhawan was the fielder there, and he juggled the ball, recovered, saw he was going over the boundary, threw the ball back into play, and proceeded to take the ball calmly. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Virat Kohli’s sweet revenge: When Rubel Hossain came out to bat, the match was effectively finished already. But there was a sense that Virat Kohli might have a go at him following the former’s send-off. Kohli was fielding close to the bat, and cheekily smiled at Rubel whenever he made eye contact. When Rubel was finally dismissed, Kohli stifled a smile and shook his head. No words were exchanged, but Kohli might as well have shouted it out. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
MS Dhoni gets a century: MS Dhoni might not have scored too many runs, but with this win he completed 100 as ODI captain. Dhoni is now the third most successful skipper in ODI history behind only Ricky Ponting and Allan Border.
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek and Cricket fanatic. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)
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