Rivalry set for next twist as India ease into the final thanks to Rohit brilliance
INDIA ensured one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world will get another billing on Sunday as they eased to the Champions Trophy final.
With Pakistan already waiting at the Oval having comfortably beaten England the day previous, India swept aside Bangladesh with the minimum of fuss at Edgbaston.
The two, who met in the group stage of this competition where India simply overpowered their bitterest rivals, will clash again as India look for their third Champions Trophy, having won it in 2002 and 2013, and Pakistan hunt for their first.
Rohit Sharma was India’s main man, bringing his 11th ODI century, and first in the Champions Trophy, up off 111 balls with a maximum. This after an 87-run opening partnership with Shikhar Dhawan as India got their chase of 265 off to a flyer.
Captain Virat Kohli, who reached 8,000 ODI runs, was at his supreme best, timing the ball to perfection on countless times as he and Rohit saw India home with 59 balls to spare.
Rohit said: “It was a great knock, especially when it comes on a winning note. I’ve been trying to get a big one in the last two games so was quite determined today.
“The wicket was brilliant. I kept telling myself to bat as much as possible. We’ve been playing good cricket. We’ve just got one last hurdle, a big game against Pakistan.”
Bangladesh had looked like they may pass the 300-mark at one stage. Despite Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman both falling within the first seven overs, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahm both rebuilt.
A 123-run partnership saw Bangladesh’s score at 154-3 with 22 overs to go. But when Shakib al Hasan and Rahim fell in consecutive overs, the innings stuttered and spluttered.
Mashrafe Mortaza thrashed a few boundaries towards the end, hitting 30 off just 25 deliveries, but Bangladesh would have surely been hoping to set India a target north of 300, rather than the 264-7 they did reach. As it was, India probably would have been comfortable in a chase of 320 and beyond. Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said: “We could have scored 300, even 320, but our set batsmen getting out was a setback to us. “Next time, we’ll come back strongly. We need to learn. Skill-wise we’re fine, but mentally we need to be stronger.”