Rohit, Sundar propel India into Nidahas tri- series final
Sharma, Sundar propel India into Nidahas tri- series final
Colombo, March 14: India entered the final of the Nidahas Trophy T20 tournament with a workmanlike 17- run win over Bangladesh at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Wednesday.
Washington Sundar with three wickets led a disciplined bowling performance by India who now have six points from their four games, four more than the two other teams. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — both with two points — meet in their final league game next ahead of the final.
Mushfiqur Rahim hit his second half- century in succession but he was left to play a lone hand as Bangladesh lost their top four batsmen by the 10th over with 61 runs on the board. He was unbeaten on 72 ( 55b, 5x4m 1x6) when the overs ran out.
Rahim received scant support, opener Tamim Iqbal and late order bat Sabbir adding 27s each as the next best scorers.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma hit a fluent 89 to guide India to 176/ 3. The opener hit five fours and as many sixes in his 61- ball knock after India were put into bat. He was run out on the last ball of the innings.
After a watchful start against a disciplined Bangladesh bowling, India cut loose with Sharma and Suresh Raina, who smashed 47, putting together 102 runs for the second wicket.
Sharma, who hit form after scores of 0, 17 and 11, put on 70 runs with fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan, who made 35, to lay a solid platform for his team’s competitive total.
Paceman Rubel Hossain claimed two wickets and also ran Sharma out.
After a prolonged bad patch starting from the tour of South Africa, the standin captain was in his element, starting cautiously before finishing with a flourish.