India remain unbeaten at World Cup
Virat Kohli's unbeaten century sealed India's fourth win from four World Cup matches as the hosts defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in Pune on Thursday. Star batsman Kohli reached his century and ended the match in style with a six against spinner Nasum Ahmed when he needed three runs to complete his century and India required two more runs to reach a target of 257. They got there with more than eight overs to spare, finishing on 261-3. Kohli faced 97 balls, including six fours and four sixes, with this century his third score in excess of fifty in four innings following contributions of 85 and 55 not out in recent pool wins over Australia and Afghanistan. But for Bangladesh, a third defeat in four matches left them with an uphill struggle to qualify for the semi-finals. Chants of "Kohli!, Kohli!" rang round a crowd of over 33,000 as the former captain reached his third World Cup hundred and second against Bangladesh in style. "I wanted to make a big contribution," said player of the match Kohli at the presentation ceremony. "I've had a few fifties in World Cups and haven't converted them so I just wanted to finish the game off this time around," added Kohli, who played alongside Tendulkar in India's 2011 World Cup-winning team. The stage was set for Kohli by an opening partnership of 88 between India skipper Rohit Sharma [48] and Shubman Gill [53]. Rohit signalled India's intentions with a second-ball cover-driven four off Shoriful Islam as Bangladesh bowling coach Allan Donald, the former South Africa spearhead, looking on from the boundary edge. Rohit, fresh from scores of 131 and 86 against Afghanistan and Pakistan respectively, hooked Hasan Mahmud for a huge six only to hole out when trying to repeat the shot next ball. Kohli, however, was soon into his stride with a four – off a free hit – and a sublime straight six from successive Mahmud deliveries. India's quest for a third World Cup title continues against New Zealand in Dharamsala on Sunday, with Bangladesh facing South Africa in Mumbai on Tuesday. (AFP)