Led by a superb century from batting mainstay Virat Kohli, India registered their fourth straight win the 2023 ODI World Cup on Thursday, beating Bangladesh by seven wickets at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
Earlier in the day, the bowlers again recovered well after a hiccup in the early stages of the Bangladesh innings to restrict them to 256 for 8 in their 50 overs.
Here are the talking points from the game:
Kohli scores 48th ODI ton, gets nearer to Tendulkar
Virat Kohli's last hundred in an ODI World Cup match came in Adelaide in 2015 when he made 107 against Pakistan. More than eight years later, the right-hander amassed his third ODI World Cup hundred on Thursday with a 97-ball 103 that contained six fours and four sixes which helped him win the Player of the Match award.
Hardik Pandya's injury raises concern for India
Hardik Pandya ran in to bowl first change in the ninth over of Indian innings on Thursday but suffered an injury after bowling the third ball of his first over. The injury was serious enough for the physio to intervene and the 30-year-old's left leg had to be taped.
But just when Pandya looked good to resume bowling, his leg it seemed could not take the stress and the all-rounder walked off the field and did not bowl a ball for the rest of the innings.
With a short turnover before the next game against New Zealand, India will hope Pandya can recover in time for the match.
Litton Das sparkles at the top
In the absence of regular captain Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh needed someone else to take the responsibility and guide the innings, while batting first. Opener Litton Das stepped up to the plate and made an 82-ball 66 to hold the innings together.
Das would have hoped for some more support from others which could have helped Bangladesh post a much bigger total on the board.
Jadeja offers control yet again
Ravindra Jadeja offered control yet again for India with the ball and prized two key wickets of Das and stand-in captain Najmul Shanto which pegged Bangladesh back and prevented them from posting a bigger score than what they eventually did.
Jadeja has stood up and been counted with the ball in more than one match and with more than half the number of league matches left, Rohit Sharma and co. will hope that Jadeja can maintain his form with the ball.
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