Rohit Sharma did a historical century and Umesh Yadav have taken four wickets to help defending champion India to reach the World Cup semifinals with a 109-run win over Bangladesh on Thursday.
Rohit scored 137 off just 126 balls — his first World Cup hundred — with 14 boundaries and three sixes, sharing a 122-run fourth-wicket partnership with Suresh Raina (65) to help India reach 302-6 after some tight Bangladesh bowling contained much of the innings.
“It was important for me stay at the crease, especially knowing we lost a few wickets in the middle. We knew it would be slow and low, so I wanted to take my time. I knew if I could stay till the 35th over I could make it count,” Rohit said.
The 27-year-old added that “After the rain, the ball came on nicely. It was important to hold your shape and then play your shots”.
Only two other non-Australian batsmen have scored two centuries at the MCG — David Gower and Viv Richards.
While Suresh Raina (65) was the only other batsman to make a significant contribution at a rapid strike-rate, Rohit batted for 47 overs to make 137 off 126 balls, highlighted by 14 boundaries and three sixes.
Bangladesh, appearing in their first World Cup quarterfinal, managed to put the brakes on India’s scoring after the fielding restrictions were lifted and they brought on their spinners.
From the end of the 10th over till the start of the 35th over, India added just 104 runs for the loss of three wickets.
