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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Virat Kohli hits sparkling century as India beat Bangladesh to extend perfect start to Cricket World Cup

Virat Kohli hit his 48th one-day international century as India maintained their perfect start to the Cricket World Cup with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh.

The tournament hosts never looked in danger of being beaten during their run chase as they cruised along to their target of 257, which included a half-century from Shubman Gill before KL Rahul farmed Kohli to his first century of the tournament.

Hosts India join New Zealand on eight points after four matches, with the teams already looking certain to take two of the semi-final places on offer.

Bangladesh, who suffered their third defeat of the tournament, got off to a superb start with an opening stand of 93, but regular wickets meant they limped to a total of 257 which India chased down with ease.

Tanzid Hasan (51) raced out of the blocks with opening partner Litton Das before the former was trapped in front by Kuldeep Yadav.

Bangladesh had positioned themselves in a commanding position before that wicket, but they then lost the next four wickets for just 86 runs which included the dangerous Das, who slogged one into the hands of Gill for 66.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmadullah provided some late impetus for Bangladesh after it looked like they would fall short of a competitive target with scores of 38 and 46 respectively to propel them up to 256.

India have been dominant throughout the powerplay in the early stages of this tournament and this was no different as they smashed 63 off the first 10 overs and their opening stand of 88 came to an end after Rohit Sharma, who had already slammed a six, was caught in the deep for 48 Towhid Hridoy going for another maximum.

Gill's knock of 53 edged India closer to the finish line and the closing stages of the match became solely about whether Kohli would give the home fans want they wanted by reaching three figures.

Singles were turned down as Rahul did his bit in getting Kohli over the line, which the India star did by launching a six into the stands to bring up both his century and another routine win for his country.

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