They move to the top of the Group 2 table, but are still not guaranteed a semi-final spot
ADELAIDE
India on Wednesday edged past Bangladesh in a thrilling, rain hit encounter at Adelaide Oval, potentially erasing Pakistan’s World Cup hopes.
Pakistan hopes were affiliated with Bangladesh’s win in this crucial encounter to have some kind of qualifying chances, but India put dent on Green Shirts’ dreams by defeating the Bengal Tigers by 5 runs, as per the DLS method.
India’s batting was yet again driven by Virat Kohli’s heroics as he smashed another half century. He blasted 64* (44). Kohli’s brilliance was coupled with KL Rahul’s master class earlier on, as the right handed opener scored 50 (32). India managed to post handy 184-6 from their twenty overs.
In reply, the Bengalis were on course to take vital points away from mighty Indians, as they stood at 66-0 from first 7. As the rain disrupted play, target was renewed for Bangladeshis. They had to score 151 from 16 overs according to the DLS method.
Bangladeshi innings’ second part was completely contrary to first one, as they lost 6 wickets for 79 runs in remaining 9 overs. At the end, they felt 5 runs short and India became the first team to officially qualify for Semi Finals.
“I was calm and nervous at the same time. It was important for us as a group to stay calm and execute our plans. With 10 wickets in hand it could’ve gone either way but after the break we did well. When he came into the scene [on Arshdeep], we asked him to do that for us,” said Indian skipper Rohit Sharma.
“With Bumrah not there, someone has to do it for us, and take the responsibility, for such a young guy to come and do it is not easy. But we prepared him for it. The last 9 months he has been doing it. There was a choice betweeen Shami and him but we backed someone who did the job for us previously,” he said.
“It’s been the story when we play against India, we are almost there but we don’t finish the line. Both teams enjoyed it, it was a great game and that’s what we wanted. At the end someone has to win and someone has to lose,” said the losing captain Shakib al Hasan.
