Kohli’s ton guides India to a comfortable win
By IANSMonday, January 11, 2010
DHAKA - Youngster Virat Kohli continued his fine run in the tri-nation ODI series with his unbeaten 102 as India defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the dead rubber at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur here Monday.
Chasing 248 to win, India made 249 for four in 43 overs with Kohli striking his second ODI ton in 95 balls. Kohli was also adjudged the Man of the Match.
Dinesh Karthik (34) and Gautam Gambhir (41) gave India a good start with their 64-run stand and then Kohli tore apart the Bangladeshi bowling hitting 11 fours.
With skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (32), Kohli added 68 runs for the fourth wicket that took India to the threshold of the win. Kohli wrapped up the things in style, hitting two consecutive fours off Shakib-Al-Hasan.
Earlier, Shakib hit a captain’s knock of 85 to guide Bangladesh to a challenging 247 for six in 50 overs.
Put in to bat, Bangladesh had their back to the wall at 95 for five, but Shakib and Mohammad Mahmudullah (64 not out) stitched a 102-run partnership to take Bangladesh to a respectable total.
Bangladesh made a poor start after opener Imrul Kayes (9) and Mohammad Ashraful (4) paid the price for their poor shot selection and departed in successive overs.
India’s new-ball bowlers Sudip Tyagi and Sreesanth troubled the Bangaldeshi batsmen but the edges flew here and there to the boundary regularly.
With half the side back in the pavilion for 95, Shakib and Mahmudullah played cleverly for their 102 runs.
India’s bowling in the death overs was again exposed as they gave away 95 runs in the final 10.
India will now face Sri Lanka in the final slated for Wednesday.
