“Walk in the park” would be an understatement for India’s nine-wicket win over Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Thursday. Set 265 for victory, India finished on 265 for one with nearly 10 overs to spare.
Rohit Sharma was 123 not out, while India captain Virat Kohli was 96 not out and their unbroken partnership was worth 178. Shikhar Dhawan set India on their way with a 34-ball 46 at the top. It was a thoroughly clinical performance.
Earlier, Bangladesh were held to a total of 264 for seven after Kohli won the toss. Tamim Iqbal (70) and Mushfiqur Rahim (61) put on 123 for the third wicket but the innings fell away after they both fell to part-time spinner Kedar Jadhav.
The batting came in for a lot of praise.
What is common between Ganguly, Dhoni and Kohli?
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) June 15, 2017
1.Highest ODI score: 183
2.Took India to finals on their first ICC tournament as captain
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli today against Bangladesh. Quite literally. #INDvBAN #CT17 pic.twitter.com/GwAd0UOyAC
— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) June 15, 2017
This is just an extended net session - beautiful #INDvBAN #CT17
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) June 15, 2017
It appeared as if Rohit and Virat were hitting Bangladesh bowlers and looking at Pakistan bowlers after each shot. #CT17
— cricBC (@cricBC) June 15, 2017
If Pandya was given another over then Kohli might have scored a century. #INDvBAN
— Biswapati Sarkar (@ChhotaThalaiva) June 15, 2017
Win aside, Indian top order batsmen seem to have a bet going on who will play the most gorgeous, exquisite, text-book-perfect shot #CT17
— cricBC (@cricBC) June 15, 2017
Stroll in the park for India .... They are winning this tournament .... #BANvIND #CT17
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 15, 2017
You could park a Dhaka traffic jam in the cover region and Virat would still find a gap #INDvBAN
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) June 15, 2017
The bowlers did set it up for the batsmen.
Kedar Jadhav is my man of the match. He pulled it back. #INDvBAN
— Anuj Singhal (@_anujsinghal) June 15, 2017
Ashwin: I have four variations, offie, doosra, topspinner and leggie.
— Karunesh Talwar (@karuneshtalwar) June 15, 2017
Kedar: Main Sehwag jaisa daalta hai.
Kedar Da Damdaar...has saved the day for India. Two big wickets. Economical overs. #CT17 #IndvBan
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 15, 2017
Kedar Jadhav is unlikely to have featured in Bangladesh's batting strategy meeting yesterday.
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) June 15, 2017
And the bottom-line? It’s an India-Pakistan final on Sunday.
So 10 years after the T20 World Cup , it's going to be an India - Pakistan final in an ICC event . Come on India !!!#CT17
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 15, 2017
I was wrong. The India v Pakistan group game won't be the most watched sporting event on earth this year...
— Paul Dennett (@the_summer_game) June 15, 2017
The #INDvPAK final will be! pic.twitter.com/0Rl3mXPvsg
And it's 🇮🇳 vs 🇵🇰
— Jaideep Vaidya (@jaideepjourno) June 15, 2017
The ICC right now: pic.twitter.com/wc0830pxmw
Sunday, June 18
— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) June 15, 2017
3pm: India vs Pakistan, Oval, London #cricket
6.30pm: India vs Pakistan, Olympic Park, London #hockey
India v Pakistan final set to break all tv records for cricket match. When they played last year in WT20 83m watched...in India alone
— Nick Hoult (@NHoultCricket) June 15, 2017
Forget El Clasico
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 15, 2017
Forget The Ashes
Forget the London Derby
Forget the Merseyside Derby
Forget the Milan Derby
It's India v Pakistan#CT17
We cannot wait for Sunday!