Kohli ton sees India home

Close to 60 weeks still remain before the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium hosts the opening game of the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Close to 60 weeks still remain before the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium hosts the opening game of the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Looking at the many posters carrying World Cup signs that line the road leading up to the venue in Mirpur,it does seem like everything leading up to that match is just a warm-up.

Much like the team itself,who had nothing to play for in their final group match against India having convincingly lost their first three games of the tri-series apart from finding performers and performances that will hold them in good stead come next year. And keeping the future in mind,they seemed to have found at least two major positives as they reached 247 for six in their 50 overs on Monday skipper Shakib al Hasan and all-rounder Mahmudullah.

But Virat Kohli Indias story of the tournament so far ensured that the visiting sides gains were greater,as he struck an unbeaten century his second in the last month to guide his team to a comfortable six-wicket victory. Kohli came in after Dinesh Karthik and Gautam Gambhir had provided another quick-fire start before perishing to ambitious shots for 34 and 41 respectively. Yuvraj Singh was trapped leg-before by Naeem Islam Bangladeshs best bowler on the night with figures of two for 35,but Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni shared another soothing stand,of 68 this time,to thwart any hopes of the hosts posting a facile win.

While Dhoni fell for 32,Kohli saw the issue through,hitting two consecutive fours off Shakib to reach his century and seal the win. Suresh Raina remained unbeaten on 18.

Face-saving stand

Earlier,Shakib who has been the mainstay in the middle-order since his debut and Mahudullah who is fast turning into a crucial lower-order finisher put on a 106-run partnership that was responsible for Bangladeshs fightback after they had been reduced to 95 for five with more than 25 overs left in their innings.

Sudeep Tyagi provided the early breakthrough once again,getting rid of Imrul Kayes,before Mohammad Ashraful was bowled by Sreesanth who got an impromptu anger-management lecture from Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the middle. Tamim Iqbal looked set to take the attack to the Indian bowlers along with Raqibul Hasan,but two quick wickets put further pressure on the hosts. While Iqbal fell to a good catch by Tyagi,Raqibul was cheekily run-out by Yuvraj Singh who somehow directed the ball towards the stumps between his legs on his follow through.

Shakib started off slowly,picking up singles at will with the Indians slipping into cruise-mode in the middle. After being dropped by Dhoni on 38,he brought up his 13th ODI half-century and seemed headed towards his fifth ton.

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Along the way,he smashed Tyagi for three boundaries one a scoop just wide of Dhoni to the fine-leg fence and spoiled the young UP seamers figures. But the Bangladeshi skippers attempt to repeat the shot in the next over led to his downfall and he was caught by Dhoni for a 97-ball 85.

Mahmudullah too didnt score off the first seven balls he faced,before stroking a delectable off-drive to the boundary off an Amit Mishra leg-break. The 23-year-old possesses an extremely calm demeanour at the crease,but as the Indians found out during their last game,he can be equally destructive towards the end of the innings. He remained unbeaten on his highest ODI score 64 off 80 balls and smashed Mishra for a six over long-on in the process.

For the Indians on the other hand,it was another mixed day on the field,as death bowling worries continued to compound with the fast bowlers yet again conceding plenty 47 runs in the last five overs.