Mirpur: Virat Kohli smashed his second one-day hundred as India completed a hat-trick of wins in the ongoing tri-series, beating Bangladesh emphatically by six-wickets in the last league game of the tournament.

India, set a target of 248 to win, raced past the total in just 43 overs. Virat Kohli slogged the Bangladesh skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, to mid-wicket for a four to complete his hundred and secure the win for India. Kohli, who had scored fifties in the previous two matches, remained unbeaten on 102 off just 95 balls in an innings laced with 11 boundaries.

Earlier, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and asked Bangladesh to bat first. The home team had their back to the wall with the top five batsmen back in the pavilion under 100. At 95 for 5, Shakib Al Hasan was joined by Mahmudullah and the duo put together a solid partnership of 102 runs for the sixth wicket to bring Bangladesh back into the game. Shakib scored a brilliant 85 off 97 balls, his 13^th ODI half century while Mahmudullah remained unbeaten at 64.

In reply, India never looked in trouble, with Dinesh Karthik and Gautam Gambhir getting them off to a solid start. The opening pair added 64 in 11 overs before Karthik (34) was caught behind off Shafiul Islam.

Gambhir then danced down the track to hoist Naeem, only to be beaten by the flight of the delivery that disturbed the stumps. Gambhir hit five fours in his 46-ball innings of 41. Yuvraj Singh (13) then came in but couldn’t last long as he failed to fend off a Naeem delivery that straightened after pitching to be out LBW and India were in a spot of bother at 133 for three in the 24th over.

But Kohli and MS Dhoni made sure that India didn’t falter in the chase, adding 68 runs for the fourth wicket. Dhoni perished in the 37th over while trying for a big shot by dancing down, only giving an easy catch to Imrul Kayes at mid-on off Shakib Al Hasan. The Indian captain hit three fours in his 35-ball 32.

Kohli and Suresh Raina (18-ball 18) then completed the formalities without any more hiccups.

The final of the tri series will be played between India and Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Match Summary:

India 249 for 4 (Kohli 102*, Gambhir 41, Naeem 2-35) beat Bangladesh 247 for 6 (Shakib 85, Mahmudullah 64*, Nehra 2-58) by 6 wickets

Man of the Match: Virat Kohli

Tagged with: Bangladesh, Gautam Gambhir, India, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Mahmudullah, Mirpur, Shakib al hasan, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli

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