In the 17th fixture of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. With this win, the Indian side secured its fourth consecutive victory and retained the second position on the points table with eight points.
Bangladesh’s stand-in captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss, and opted to bat first on a batting-friendly Pune deck. The Bangladeshi batting lineup got a flying start in the first powerplay, all credit to the half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das, but once again Indian bowlers showed their prowess in bowling and restricted the Bangla tigers to a modest total of 256 in the given 50 overs.
While chasing, once again the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma (48) showed his batting supremacy and gave his side a terrific start, along with his partner, Shubman Gill (53). Both of them knit a strong opening partnership of 88 runs before Rohit departed, as he was dismissed by Hasan Mahmud in the 13th over. But it was Virat Kohli’s (103*) day in Pune. He scored his 48th ODI century and third World Cup ton in this encounter. His innings had six fantastic fours and four sensational sixes, which graced his batting masterclass once again. Once again, the chase master cruised the Indian innings, along with Gill, Shreyas Iyer (19), and in the end, along with KL Rahul (34*), helped his side chase the target of 257 runs within 41.3 overs.
In the first inning, Bangladeshi openers Tanzid (51) and Litton (66) gave a splendid start to their side, and built an opening partnership of 93 runs, before Kuldeep Yadav got rid of the 22-year old southpaw batter in the 15th over. But after a strong start, the 2015 quarter finalist started to stutter, as the Indian spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep spun their web, which trapped the visitors. But the formidable knocks from Mahmudullah (46) and Mushfiqur Rahim (38) helped their side to pose a total of 256 runs.
With the ball for India, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Jadeja got two wickets each, whereas Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep got one wicket apiece.
While defending, Bangladeshi bowlers had a dull day in the office. Although Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan got two wickets and one wicket, respectively.
For his marvellous ton, Kohli was adjudged Player of the Match.
The two-time winners will face one of their tough competitors in the world cricket, New Zealand in their next encounter on Sunday, October 22 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.