India galloped into the semifinals of the World Cup with a resounding 109-run victory over Bangladesh here on Thursday. Rohit Sharma crafted a century of the highest quality and stitched a crucial 122-run partnership with Suresh Raina as India overcame some early bother to post an imposing total of 302.
Bangladesh was dismissed for 193 in response. Umesh Yadav took four for 31 as India bowled out its opposition for a seventh straight time in the tournament.
Bangladesh, though, demonstrated that its progress into the last eight was no fluke. Rubel Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan bowled parsimonious early spells to tie India in knots.
Rohit, however, had other ideas. His 137 was as measured and responsible as it was an aesthetic delight. Raina did not hold back either, making a rapid 65 as India registered a sizeable score.
The victory was Dhoni's 100th in 177 outings as captain. India, which will now feature in the second semifinal to be played on March 26 in Sydney, will face the winner of the Australia-Pakistan contest.
Scoreboard
Bangladesh innings (target: 303 runs from 50 overs)
Tamim Iqbal c Dhoni b Yadav 25; Imrul Kayes run out (Jadeja/Yadav) 5; Soumya Sarkar c Dhoni b Mohammed Shami 29; Mahmudullah c Dhawan b Mohammed Shami 21; Shakib Al Hasan c Mohammed Shami b Jadeja 10; Mushfiqur Rahim c Dhoni b Yadav 27; Sabbir Rahman c Mohammed Shami b Yadav 30; Nasir Hossain c Ashwin b Jadeja 35; Mashrafe Mortaza c Dhoni b Mohit Sharma 1; Rubel Hossain c Ashwin b Yadav 0; Taskin Ahmed not out 0
Extras : (b 1, lb 1, w 8) 10
Total (all out; 45 overs) 193 (4.28 runs per over)
Fall of wickets : 1—33, 2—33, 3—73, 4—90, 5—104, 6—139, 7—189, 8—192, 9—193, 10—193
India Bowling : Umesh Yadav 9—1—31—4, Mohammed Shami 8—1—37—2, Mohit Sharma 7—0—36—1, Ravichandran Ashwin 10—1—30—0, Suresh Raina 3—1—15—0 , Ravindra Jadeja 8—0—42—2.
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India innings: Rohit Sharma b Taskin 137; Shikhar Dhawan st Mushfiqur b Shakib 30; Virat Kohli c Mushfiqur b Rubel 3; Ajinkya Rahane c Shakib b Taskin 19; Suresh Raina c Mushfiqur b Mortaza 65; Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Nasir Hossain b Taskin 6; Ravindra Jadeja not out 23; Ravichandran Ashwin not out 3. Extras: (B—4, LB—7, W—3, NB—2) 16
Total: (for 6 wickets in 50 overs) 302
Fall of wickets : 1—75, 2—79, 3—115, 4—237, 5—273, 6—296.
Bangladesh Bowling: Mortaza 10—0—69—1, Taskin Ahmed 10—0—69—3, Nasir Hossain 9—0—35 —0, Mahmudullah 1—0—4—0, Rubel Hossain 10—0—56—1, Shakib Al Hasan 10—0—58—1.
