On October 19 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, India continued their winning streak in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 by defeating Bangladesh by seven wickets. Litton Das’ knock of 66 (82) was the highest score for Bangladesh, who elected to bat first, as they amassed 256/8 in the allowed 50 overs.
Virat Kohli once again delivered a chasing masterclass as India responded by successfully completing the goal in 41.3 overs. India won the competition four times in a row thanks in large part to Kohli, who reached his 48th ODI century. Both Rohit Sharma (48 off 40) and Shubman Gill (53 off 55) contributed significantly to their team.
The following are the game’s talking points:
1. Young Tanzid Hasan uses his second life to its fullest potential
None of the players made an appeal after Hasan was hit on his pads by Jasprit Bumrah in the fifth over of the innings, but he managed to avoid being out leg before wicket. Replays revealed that the 22-year-old had left everything behind. Hasan took full most of the chance, scoring his first ODI fifty in his ninth game.
In the fourth over against Bangladesh 2, India fails to dismiss Tanzid Hasan because no one appealed for leg before wicket. Ravindra Jadeja contributes on the field and with the ball.
After the openers for Bangladesh added 93 runs for the first wicket, the team had a strong start. By ejecting acting captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (8 off 17) and Litton Das (66 off 82), Jadeja enabled India to mount a comeback. A well-positioned Mushfiqur Rahim (38 off 46) was later dismissed by him after he made an incredible grab at point.
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3. Virat Kohli maintains his devotion to run-chase.
In ODIs, Kohli earned another hundred while chasing a target. He played an incredible 103-ball innings, scoring six fours and four sixes along the way. Notably, it was his 48th hundred in ODIs, which puts him one century shy of Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most hundreds in the format.
Player of the Match, Virat Kohli, India said:
Sorry for stealing it (PoTM award) from Jaddu, I wanted to make a big contribution. I have had a few fifties in World Cups, haven’t really converted them. I just wanted to finish the game off this time around and hang on till the end which is what I have done over the years for the team. I was telling Shubman, even if you dream about a situation like that, you’ll just go back to sleep, you won’t think it’s real. It was a dream start for me, first four balls, two free-hits, a six and a four. Just calms you down gets you into the innings.
The pitch was pretty good and it allowed me to play my game – just time the ball, hit the gaps, run hard and get the boundaries whenever needed. There’s a great atmosphere in the change room, we are loving each others’ company, the spirit is there for everyone to see on the field. That’s why it’s translating like that on the field. We understand it’s a long tournament, you need to create some momentum in the change room for the guys to come out and play like this. It’s a special feeling playing at home, playing in front of all these people, we just want to make the most of it.
Losing Captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh said:
India are always a very good side, a very capable team and they showed it today. All teams are good, but I think we didn’t play our best cricket, hopefully, we’ll play better in the future. He’s going on well (on Shakib), should be fit for the next match. Tanzid batted well, so did our bowlers, the problem is we didn’t finish well with the bat. Would have been a different ball-game had Litton stayed a bit longer, the batting group has to take up responsibility.
Winning Captain, Rohit Sharma, India, said:
It was a good win, something we were looking forward to. We didn’t start well, but the guys pulled it back in the middle-overs and at the back-end. Our fielding has been superb in all these matches, it’s something that’s in your control, you can put in your best effort. The bowlers were smart to understand what lengths to bowl. Jaddu was brilliant with the ball and the catch, but you can’t beat a hundred. We’re doing well as a group, a medal for all performances in the playing field and that’s something which motivates everyone to do well (speaking about dressing room awards).
He (Hardik) pulled up a bit sore, nothing really major to worry. We’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow morning and then plan on how to go forward. Everyone in the squad has gone through pressure, the crowd is coming in big numbers, the stands are full, they haven’t disappointed us, they’ve been brilliant and I’m sure they’ll be louder and louder as we move on.
India
