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Published : 28 May 2019, 08:41 PM
India were in a bit of trouble when Dhoni joined Rahul in the 22nd over at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Tuesday as their side were at 102 for four after losing wickets in regular intervals.
Rahul (108) then partnered with Dhoni (113) in a 164-run stand to ensure that the Bangladesh batsmen have a mammoth task.
The pair launched a counterattack to take their team out of trouble. Dhoni hit two sixes off Mehidy Hasan Miraz after Rahul had hit Shakib Al Hasan for two.
Rahul struck another six off Mustafizur Rahman to reach his century before being bowled by Sabbir Rahman in the next over.
Hardik Pandya then gave Dhoni company with an 11-ball 21 to take India past the 300-run mark.
India were at 348 when Shakib bowled Dhoni with four balls of the innings left.
Rain had stopped play twice earlier, triggering fears that Bangladesh may have to go to the World Cup without any warm-up as their first one against Pakistan was washed out.
When the game began, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s decision to field first appeared a great move as his pacers put some pressure on India's top order with a hint of movement off the pitch.
Captain Virat Kohli (47 off 46) appeared nervous initially, but later steadied the innings with Rohit Sharma after Mustafizur produced swing to trap Shikhar Dhawan LBW.
Rohit dragged Rubel Hossain’s delivery onto the stumps just when the pair started looking set.
Mohammad Saifuddin then sent Kohli back with a yorker, while Rubel took Vijay Shankar out.
Bangladesh were hoping to bundle India for a low total but Rahul and Dhoni, along with misfields and the improvement of batting condition, took the initiative away from the Tigers.
BRIEF SCORES: India 359/7 in 50 overs against Bangladesh (MS Dhoni 113, Lokesh Rahul 108; Shakib Al Hasan 2-58, Rubel Hossain 2-62).
