Two-time champion India survived a late scare to secure its place in the semi-finals at the Cricket World Cup with a 28-run win over Bangladesh, who were eliminated from play-off contention on Tuesday.
India won the toss at Edgbaston and reached 314/9, with opener Rohit Sharma scoring a 92-ball 104 — his record-tying fourth century of the tournament. Seamer Mustafizur Rahman took 5/59.
Bangladesh were 286 all out in reply with Shakib Al Hasan again providing the main resistance with a 74-ball 66 including six fours.
Sabbir Rahman (36 in 36 balls) and Mohammad Saifuddin (51 not out off 38 balls) started to hit out and looked dangerous as they took Bangladesh from 179-6 to 245-7, leaving 70 runs required in around seven overs.
The defeat ended any semi-final hopes for seventh-place Bangladesh, who have seven points from eight games. India have 13 points, one behind leader Australia, and play Sri Lanka in its final game at Headingley on Saturday.
Sharma and Lokesh Rahul shared the highest opening stand for this tournament of 180. But Bangladesh struck back to reduce India to 237/4 when Mustafizur's double-wicket maiden claimed Virat Kohli on 26 and Hardik Pandya for a two-ball duck.
Sharma’s ton matched Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara’s record of centuries at a single World Cup in 2015. After he was out, Rahul went shortly afterward for 77, also in 92 deliveries. Rishabh Pant added a 41-ball 48.
Mustafizur dismissed Mohammed Shami on the last ball of the innings to finish with a five-for. Shakib, the top-ranked ODI allrounder, took 1-41 in 10 overs and then top-scored in Bangladesh's reply.
Bangladesh had proved it can reel in large totals, pulling off the second highest successful run chase in tournament history — 322 — to beat the West Indies by seven wickets with eight overs left. But the Indian bowlers provided tougher opposition and pacer Jasprit Bumrah mopped up with wickets in the 48th and then last over of the match.
Bumrah ended on 4/55 and Pandya 3/60.
Brief Scores:
India 314/9 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 104, K.L. Rahul 77; Mustafizur Rahman 5/59); Bangladesh 286 all out in 48 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 66, Mohammad Saifuddin 51 not out; Jasprit Bumrah 4/55, Hardik Pandya 3/60)
(With inputs from AP)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)