Cardiff: Indian stunned neighbour Bangladesh in their second warm-up match on Tuesday in their quest for the ICC World Cup 2019. With both Dhoni and Rahul’s brilliant centuries India scored a formidable total of 359 at the loss of seven wickets while Bangladesh were all out at just 264.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored a brilliant 113 (78) while Lokesh Rahul impressed with his 108 (99) to put a near impossible target for the minion Bangladesh.
India were off to a disappointing start as both openers – Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma – failed once again to score big and although they were looking good thanks to a quickfire 46-ball 47 from skipper Virat Kohli, the 164-run partnership between KL Rahul (108) and Dhoni ensured that another embarrassing collapse was avoided.
Dhoni seemed pretty comfortable in his shoes and scored his century with a six brought loud cheers from the dressing room.
Meanwhile, Rahul’s century has likely put him in the front of the queue for the No. 4 slot in the India middle order after captain Virat Kohli said his form was the “biggest positive” India would take into their first match of the World Cup against South Africa on June 5.
The rusty Shakib Al Hasan(2/58 in 6 overs) was taken to the task by both Rahul and Dhoni, who got easy runs off the world’s No. 1 ranked all-rounder.
If Rahul and Dhoni were the biggest positives to have emerged from batting, Kuldeep Yadav (3/47 in 10 overs) and Yuzvendra Chahal (3/55 in 10 overs) also gained in much-needed confidence going into the tournament proper.
While India will have their first match against South Africa on June 5, Bangladesh will open their ICC World Cup 2019 quest also with South Africa. Incidentally, both the matches will be played Kennington Oval, London.