World Cup 2015, India vs Bangladesh as it happened: India cruise into semi-finals

Dhoni: We can’t shy away from the fact that we are playing some good cricket. But at the same time a month back we were struggling. A lot of credit goes to the boys and the support staff. The good thing is that there are not many players in the top runs scorers list but still we are  scoring runs. Bowling teams out was an area we wanted to improve. [On the diving catch he took to dismiss Soumya Sarkar) , Dhoni with a shy smile – Fluke happens. It was an important catch, a decent partnership was going and I just dived. I thought it was a bit away from me, I dived and the ball came and sat in my hands. (On being asked about the too many 300 scores) A lot of it is because of the fifth fielder being inside and the T20 influence and with teams keeping wickets in hand, it helps. If the wicket is dry, some reverse swing happens. But if it’s a flat wicket, 300 is something most teams will score

Mortaza: We would have liked to bat first as well, but can’t do much. At that time, Rubel and Shakib were bowling well, but we couldn’t get through. 300 is diffuclt to chase, but 280 could have been better. Most of our players are just starting their careers and they should be very happy with their efforts and the fans should be happy as well. I hope, the way we are performing at the moment, we don’t have the experience yet, but once we go back home, we know how to play and hopefully this year is exciting for us.

Man of the Match – Rohit Sharma: (On where he rates this century) I think it will be right up. It was at an important situatioon where the team needed me the most. I wanted to bat as long as possible and put the team in good situation. Batting at top of the order it is always important to get big hundreds. I tried and did that today. I am happy the way we performed as a team. Bowlers are taking wickets, batsmen are scoring runs. We just need to take this momentum forward. We are doing the right things on the field. We are creating big partnerships and the bowlers are working in tandem as well.

Umesh finished with 4 for 31 from 9 overs. Was the pick of the bowlers.

India win by 109 runs. Rohit Sharma will obviously be the Player of the Match.

OUT! Raham pulls the ball down fine leg’s throat. India are through the semi-final. Dhoini has 100 ODI victories, just third ever captain to reach that landmark after Alan Border and Ricky Ponting. India have outplayed Bangladesh in every department and bowled out a team for the seventh straight time.

Sabbir Rahman c Mohammed Shami b Yadav 30 (40b 2×4 0x6)

Over 44.4: Bangladesh 193/9 (Rahman 30)

Umesh goes straight back to the bouncer. They want to get back at Rubel for his send-off to Kohli.

OUT! Rubel tries to pull. It is a battle he was never going to win. The ball lobs to short midwicket.

Rubel Hossain c Ashwin b Yadav 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Over 44: Bangladesh 192/8 (Rahman 29)

More short stuff from Mohit. This has become monotonous.

OUT! Mohit finally bowls one full and that’s too good for Mortaza. He just pokes his bat at it without moving his feet and nicks it to Dhoni. Why it took so long to do that is anyone’s guess?

Mashrafe Mortaza c Dhoni b Mohit Sharma 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Over 43: Bangladesh 189/7 (Rahman 27)

Nasir goes past his partner with another streaky edge to the third man boundary. This is nowthe largest partnership of the innings. Nasir rubs it in with a slog-sweep to cow corner for another boundary.

OUT! One shot too many for Nasir. Big stride forward and slams the ball straight to Ashwin, who takes a good low catch in the covers.

Nasir Hossain c Ashwin b Jadeja 35 (34b 6×4 0x6)

Over 42: Bangladesh 179/6 (Rahman 27, Nasir 26)

More short stuff. Nasir gets hold of another pull shot and gets four. The partnership for the 7th wicket is now worth 40 and is the joint highest of the innings for Bangladesh

Mohit returns.

Over 41: Bangladesh 174/6 (Rahman 27, Nasir 21)

Jadeja back too. Nasir picks up four by coming down the track and going over mid-on.

Over 40: Bangladesh 169/6 (Rahman 27, Nasir 16)

Ashwin returns for the last over of the PowerPlay.

DROPPED! Nasir chips one into the offside and Dhawan dives forward, gets to the ball but can’t hold on.

Four from the over.

Over 39: Bangladesh 165/6 (Rahman 25, Nasir 14)

More short balls. Nasir manages to get hold of one and thumps it through midwicket. Picks up three when Dhawan misfields in the deep. Four from the over.

Over 38: Bangladesh 161/6 (Rahman 24, Nasir 11)

Would be nice to see yorker or two at this stage. There’s no risk to bowling them now. Umesh pounds away with the short ball though. Then again, the short ball has been India’s best weaponTwo from the over.

Over 37: Bangladesh 159/6 (Rahman 23, Nasir 10)

Shami with another bouncer that gets called for a wide. Been a few of those in this innings. Nasir hasn’t thrown in the towel yet. Stands tall and carves another short ball past point. Seven from the over.

Over 36: Bangladesh 152/6 (Rahman 22, Nasir 5)

Three boundaries follow that wicket. The first was streaky – a thick edge from Nasir that went to third man. The second was a powerful pull shot through midwicket from Rahman. The third was cut away over point, also by Rahman.

That has ruined Umesh’s figures a bit.

Over 35.1: Bangladesh 139/6 (Rahman 14)

OUT! Umesh strikes after the drinks break. Short again. Mushfiqur goes for the pull but skies it. Dhoni ambles towards short third man and takes it easily.

Mushfiqur Rahim c †Dhoni b Yadav 27 (43b 2×4 0x6)

The mandatory batting PowerPlay is taken.

Over 35: Bangladesh 139/5 (Mushfiqur 27, Rahman 14)

Plenty of singles available and Bangladesh milk six of them. They need 164 runs from 15 overs now. Hopefully they won’t simply try and bat out the 50 overs. That could get dull.

Over 34: Bangladesh 133/5 (Mushfiqur 24, Rahman 11)

Not as good a start to his second spell. Bit wayward. Six runs from Umesh’s sixth over.

Umesh is back. He was excellent in his first spell.

Over 33: Bangladesh 127/5 (Mushfiqur 23, Rahman 7)

Mushfiqur pulls out the slog-sweep. Gets another four. Good over for Bangladesh. Eight from it.

The MCG starting to empty quite quickly... #cwc15 #indvban

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 19, 2015

Over 32: Bangladesh 119/5 (Mushfiqur 16, Rahman 6)

Five singles from Ashwin’s over. This game meandering now.

Over 31: Bangladesh 113/5 (Rahim 12, Rahman 4)

A boundary! When’s the last time we saw that. Mushfiqur slams one to the wide long-on boundary. Seven from the over in all.

Over 30: Bangladesh 107/5 (Rahim 7, Rahman 3)

Rahman picks up two runs with a sweep shot. The rest of Ashwin’s over passes quickly and without incident.

Over 29: Bangladesh 105/5 (Rahim 7, Rahman 1)

Sabbir Rahman is the new batsman. He takes a single. That’s all the scoring from the over.

Over 28.2: Bangladesh 104/5 (Rahim 7)

OUT! Shakib’s torturous stay ends. Tries to cut Jadeja but doesn’t have the room and hits it straight to short third man.

Shakib Al Hasan c Mohammed Shami b Jadeja 10 (34b 0x4 0x6)

Over 28: Bangladesh 104/4 (Shakib 10, Rahim 7)

Ashwin continues to toss the ball. Shakib and Rahim continue to be watchful. Again, just two from the over. This looks beyond Bangladesh.

Over 27: Bangladesh 102/4 (Shakib 10, Rahim 6)

A slip but no legslip for Jadeja. Why? You’ll have to ask Dhoni. Two singles from the over.

Over 26: Bangladesh 100/4 (Shakib 9, Rahim 5)

Mushfiqur goes back and cuts Ashwin past point to pick up two, then slog sweeps just over a leaping midwicket for two more. That brings up the 100 for Bangladesh.

Over 25: Bangladesh 95/4 (Shakib 8, Rahim 1)

Mushfiqur gets off the mark from the 13th ball he faced by cutting Jadeja in front of point. Four runs from the over.

At last, it is time for Sir Jadeja.

**Over 24: Bangladesh 91/4 (Shakib 6, Rahim 0)**7

Shakib breaks the run of dot balls with a single through the point region. It is the only run from the over as Rahim can’t get Ashwin past the fielder at mid-wicket

Over 23: Bangladesh 90/4 (Shakib 5, Rahim 0)

Shami follows with a maiden of his own to Rahim.

#IND's bowling lengths - Number of wicket
Yorker - 2
Full - 9
Good length - 6
SHORT - 22#HumHaiIndians #CWC15 #INDvBAN

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 19, 2015

Over 22: Bangladesh 90/4 (Shakib 5, Rahim 0)

Ashwin tries to tempt Shakib into a big shot. Shakib resists. A maiden results.

That’s 17 wickets for Shami. He is now the leading wicket-taker in this tournament.

WICKET! Dhoni takes a superb one-handed catch. Sarkar gone. BAN 90-4 #IndvsBan http://t.co/TrfJjgHChq pic.twitter.com/Bf8A5Sys7e

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 19, 2015

Over 20.4: Bangladesh 90/4 (Shakib 5)

Sarkar plays the ramp to another short ball and gets four again. Smart shot when you are expecting the short ball

OUT! Dhoni takes a blinder! Another short ball but this one is right in Sarkar’s chest. He fends awkwardly and deflects the ball to Dhoni’s left. Dhoni throws himself full length and is momentarily surprised when he realises he has snagged the ball one-handed. Jumps off the ground and starts running in Imran Tahir-like fashion but quickly thinks better of it. Big grin on his face though. One of his team-mates even pulls his chin.

Soumya Sarkar c †Dhoni b Mohammed Shami 29 (43b 3×4 1×6)

Over 20: Bangladesh 86/3 (Sarkar 25, Shakib 5)

Ashwin attacking middle stump to the left-handers. Looking for turn to take the outside edge or hit the top of off. Doesn’t happen in this over, though. Three runs accrue to Bangladesh.

Over 19: Bangladesh 83/3 (Sarkar 24, Shakib 4)

Shami goes back to the bouncer theory. Shakib tries to attack but aside from one pull shot to deep midwicket for two, can’t make clean contact. Three from the over.

Over 18: Bangladesh 80/3 (Sarkar 24, Shakib 1)

Ashwin comes on and we get the first signs of turn. Rips one past Shakib’s outside edge. Finds Sarakar’s edge too and the ball dribbles to first slip.. Then Sarkar slams the last ball over long-on for SIX to release the pressure.

Over 17: Bangladesh 73/3 (Sarkar 18)

OUT! The bouncer does the trick for Shami. Mahmudullah goes for the pull but isn’t in the best position and hits it in the air. Dhawan backpedals, leaps, knocks the ball up, then bobbles it on the second attempt, almost falls on the boundary marker, tosses the ball up, steps behind the boundary, strolls back in and nonchalantly takes the catch for the third and final time.

Mahmudullah c Dhawan b Mohammed Shami 21 (31b 2×4 0x6)

Shami is back.

Time for drinks.

Over 16: Bangladesh 71/2 (Sarkar 17, Mahmudullah 20)

Sarkar enough of Raina. Skips down the track, makes room and goes over extra-cover. The big ground keeps Shami interested on the boundary but in the end he can’t get there. Eight from the over. Raina has conceded 15 from his last two.

Over 15: Bangladesh 63/2 (Sarkar 11, Mahmudullah 18)

Much better from Mohit. Uses the bouncer to good effect and almost gets a wicket with the fuller ball. Sarkar mistimes the drive but it loops over the short cover fielder. Just two from the over.

Over 14: Bangladesh 61/2 (Sarkar 10, Mahmudullah 17)

Mahmudullah cheekily lap sweeps Raina past fine leg for a couple. Goes back to the stroke again the very next ball and gets a single. After Sarkar takes a single, Mahmudullah drives a fuller delivery behind point for two more. A single to long-off makes is seven from the over.

Over 13: Bangladesh 54/2 (Sarkar 9, Mahmudullah 11)

Where did this come from? Mahmuddulah gives himself some room and tonks a length ball from Mohit to the long-on boundary. Brings up Bangaldesh’s 50. Then decides to charge the next ball and is lucky to get a Chinese cut away to fine leg for a single. A quick single to mid-on from the last ball makes it 8 from the over.

Mohit’s first four overs have gone for 26 runs.

Over 12: Bangladesh 46/2 (Sarkar 7, Mahmudullah 5)

Raina gets the ball to skip off the pitch and hurries the batsmen. Starts with a maiden.

It is Raina from the other end, not Jadeja.

Over 11: Bangladesh 46/2 (Sarkar 7, Mahmudullah 5)

Sarkar dabs the ball behind the wicket on the offside and gets caught ball watching again. The ball beats the fielder at short third man though, so the batsman eventually get a single. Mahmuddulah also takes a single to make it two from the over.

A slip and legslip in place.

Time for Ashwin.

Over 10: Bangladesh 44/2 (Sarkar 6, Mahmudullah 4)

Mohit goes to his bouncer and Sarkar smartly ramps it over the keeper for four. Sarkar tend tries to slam through point but is beaten for pace and bounce. Mohit switches to round the wicket and brings the ball back into Sarkar. Loud shout for LBW but there was a big inside edge. A single from the last ball makes it five runs from the over

Over 9: Bangladesh 39/2 (Sarkar 1, Mahmudullah 4)

Sarkar wafts at a length ball from Umesh that moves away slightly and is beaten. Sarkar finally gets off the mark by clipping Umesh off his hips for a single. Mahmudullah then has a waft outside off. Umesh bowling really well. He has 1 for 9 from 5 overs.

Over 8: Bangladesh 38/2 (Sarkar 0, Mahmudullah 4)

Mohit beats Mahmudullah with a peach that holds its line. Mahmudullah responds by carving Mohit to the point boundary.

Dhoni didn't appeal. He wants Imrul in there

— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 19, 2015

Mahmudullah, the form batsman for Bangladesh, comes to the middle.

Over 6.4: Bangladesh 33/2 (Sarkar 0)

OUT! Two wickets in two balls. Terrible running between the wickets. Soumy Sarkar drops the ball on the offside and takes a couple of steps but is ball watching and doesn’t notice Kayes has put on the jets. When Jadeja at point cuts the ball off, Sarkar heads back to his crease not realizing Kayes was almost by his side. Kayes turns back but is stranded. Jadeja took his time and figured out which side to throw to and it allowed Umesh to get behind the stumps as well, gather the ball and knock off the bails. Kayes dives desperately but there is no need to even go to the third umpire.

Imrul Kayes run out 5 (14b 0x4 0x6)

Over 6.3: Bangladesh 33/1 (Kayes 5)

OUT! Either Tamim or Umesh was going to crack and it is Tamim. Umesh bowls it full and across the left-hander, who goes for the drive and nicks it. Dhoni appears to take the catch but Tamim doesn’t move so they so they go upstairs. The third umpire umpire says “I am confident the ball has gone cleanly into the gloves”. Tamim has to get on his bike.

Tamim Iqbal c †Dhoni b Yadav 25 (25b 4×4 0x6)

Most centuries in World Cup history:
25* India,
25 Australia,
23 Sri Lanka,
17 West Indies,
14 SAfrica/Pakistan/NZ,
11 ENG.#INDvBAN #CWC15

— Cricket Records (@cricinfo_record) March 19, 2015

Over 6: Bangladesh 31/0 (Tamim 24, Kayes 4)

Tamim charges Mohit and slashes him over point for yet another boundary. Mohit responds with a bouncer that Kayes pulls towards cow corner. The ball this high on the bat so it doesn’t go to the boundary but the batsmen run two when they should have run three. Tamim charges again and slashes again. Thick outside edge gets to Ashwin on the bounce. Just a single. A dot ball to finish but eight from the over.

Dhoni promptly replaces Shami with Mohit.

Over 5: Bangladesh 23/0 (Tamim 17, Kayes 3)

Kayes finally gets off the mark by driving a length ball from Umesh on the top through the covers. The ball is pulled back just inside the rope and the batsmen run three. Those ends up being the only run from the over as Umesh keeps his shape. No width for either batsmen.

Ragged start from Shami. That might make India a little nervous.

Over 4: Bangladesh 20/0 (Tamim 17, Kayes 0)

Shami starts his second over with yet another wide. He then straightened his line and Tamim punched him down the ground for Bangladesh’s first boundary. After a dot ball, Shami went back to the wide stuff and got slashed through point and driven through the covers off consecutive balls. Three boundaries in the over.

Over 3: Bangladesh 7/0 (Tamim 5, Kayes 0)

Superb second over from Umesh. Quick. On a rope outside off. One sharp bouncer at Kayes’ body. Batsman could do nothing but defend. Had one wild swing and missed everything Maiden over.

Over 2: Bangladesh 7/0 (Tamim 5, Kayes 0)

Couple of wides from Shami to start with. One down legside, the other way outside off. He is lucky to get away with another short, wide ball outside off when Tamim can’t piece the offside field. Untidy start from Shami.

Snicko shows Kayes may have hit the ball as he attempted to take his bat out of the way. Big spike as ball passes bat. There is a sound on the audio too but MS Dhoni simply wasn’t interested.

Over 1: Bangladesh 3/0 (Tamim 3, Kayes 0)

A tidy first over from Umesh. Mostly back-of-a-length stuff. The last ball was full and angled across Kayes, who leaves it alone.

We are back. Tamim and Kayes are ready to go. UImesh Yadav has the first new ball.

Time for a quick bite to eat and then we will be back for the chase.

143 after 32. Struggle for Kohli, Rahane and Dhoni. Opposition created pressure. Finished on 301. Class. World champion stuff

— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 19, 2015

Rohit Sharma: Wanted to make it count. Glad we posted a good total. Need to come back now and bowl well. It was important for me to stay, especially after we lost a couple of wickets in the middle. WE knew it was going to be slow and low. Wanted to take my time.I knew if I say there until 30th or 35th over, I could make. Wanted to stay till the end.

All the shots, I played, I liked. After the rain, the ball was coming on nicely.

It is a decent total. We can’t underestimate the Banglades batsmen. They have posted 290 and 300 in the league games. We have to be energetic in the field.

India were 155 for 3 after 35 overs. They added another 147 in the final 15 overs. Rohit Sharma was brilliant, Raina was excellent and Jadeja provided  late flourish.

Over 50: India 302/6 (Jadeja 23, Ashwin 3)

Rubel bowls the final over. Does superbly and keeps the ball full. Neither batsman can get any elevation. Just six from it but that’s enough for India to bring up their 300. The last 50 came from 26 balls.

Rubel to bowl the last over. Ashwin is the new batsman.

Over 49: India 296/6 (Jadeja 20)

Full on legstump from Taskin and somehow Jadeja clips behind square and gets four. Clips the next ball elegantly through midwicket and the fielder on the boundary slides past it and allows the ball to go for another boundary.

OUT! Going for quick runs, Dhoni slices a pullshot to a short ball and the fielder takes the catch in the covers.

MS Dhoni c Nasir Hossain b Taskin Ahmed 6 (11b 0x4 0x6)

Over 48: India 283/5 (Dhoni 4, Jadeja 9)

Shakib beats Jadeja in flight but Jadeja gets a thick nick past the keeper and it runs to the boundary. Jadeja would have been stumped had he missed it. The near miss doesn’t deter him, though. Down the track again and slams Shakib through the offside. 10 from the over.

Over 47: India 273/5 (Dhoni 3)

Taskin foolishly tries to bounce Rohit and gets absolutely murdered over cow corner. The ball sails into the crowd. The next one is short too and Rohit pulls him behind square, this time for four.

OUT! A perfect yorker does for Rohit. Full and swinging it. Rohit tries to chop the bat on it and manages to get a bottom edge on it but that’s only enough to send the ball on to his stumps.

RG Sharma b Taskin Ahmed 137 (126b 14×4 3×6)

Excellent comeback from Taskin, who punches the air in celebration and relief.

Rohit Sharma is batting like vvs on steroids now

— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 19, 2015

Over 46: India 261/4 (Rohit 127, Dhoni 2)

Stunning from Rohit. Full and straight from Rubel and Rohit gently lofts it straight back down the ground and over the fence. He hangs back expecting a shorter ball next and when he gets it, pulls it to deep midwicket for four. After a couple of singles, Rohit stands tall and creams a length delivery through the covers off the back foot. 16 from the over.

Rubel is back. One wicket here and Bangladesh to limit the damage since Ravindra Jadeja, due to come in next, has not been in good touch.

Over 45: India 245/4 (Rohit 112, Dhoni 1)

A very good over from Taskin, just four from it, as Dhoni takes a little time to get used to the wicket.

MS Dhoni is the new batsman. Can he keep India flying?

Over 43.5: India 237/4 (Rohit 105)

Raina charges Mashrafe and chips him down the ground but the ball doesn’t carry to the mid-on fielder, who decides to cut off the boundary rather than charge in for the catch. Keeps the damage to two runs.

OUT! Bangladesh have something to smile about again. Raina top-edged a pull and the ball went high over his head. Mushfiqur did well to run back and take the catch. Helped to be wearing those big keeping gloves.

SK Raina c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Mashrafe Mortaza 65 (57b 7×4 1×6)

End of another momentum-turning knock from Raina.

India have scored 227 runs in the batting powerplay in this WC without losing a wicket (30.5 overs) (via @bbctms) http://t.co/TrfJjgHChq

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 19, 2015

Over 43: India 233/3 (Rohit 104, Raina 62)

Shakib brings some normalcy to proceedings by conceding just four runs. The momentum is now galloping along with India.

Over 42: India 229/3 (Rohit 102, Raina 60)

Mashrafe brings himself back. Raina walks across his stumps and flicks him to deep square leg. It is all going pear-shaped for Bangladesh now.

HUNDRED FOR ROHIT! Punches the ball through the offside and picks up two to bring up his first World Cup hundred. Been an innings of maturity and calm. India needed this from him.

Bangladesh have to bowl an extra ball too because they did not have enough fielders in the circle. Mashrafe has lost his head. 12 from this over too.

Over 41: India 217/3 (Rohit 97, Raina 54)

Shakib is back. India profit. Raina gets to his fifty with a short-arm pull. Took him just 46 balls and includes five fours and a six. Rohit then plays another glide to the short third man boundary. A wilting Shakib’s final delivery is short and outside leg to Raina, who clubs him over the man inside the circle at square leg for four more. 12 from the over.

India are off to the races.

The boundary also brought up the 100-partnership for these two.

It was Dar who initially called the no-ball from square leg though.

Bad decision from Gould,was definitely not above the waist.Lucky break for rohit.this can b the difference in getting xtra 20 runs #CWC2015

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 19, 2015

India got 50 from the PowerPlay.

Over 40: India 205/3 (Rohit 91, Raina 48)

DRAMA! Rohit swats a full toss straight to the fielder at square leg and the catch is easily taken but the umpire calls it a no-ball for height. Replays suggest it may not have been above the waist. Desperately bad luck for Bangladesh.

Raina then mistimes a pull shot but it loops just over Shakib’s head and lands safe. Bangladesh like a deflated balloon now. Raina compounds the misery by playing a crunching offside to the long-off boundary.

Over 39: India 194/3 (Rohit 89, Raina 40)

Rohit delicately redirects a back-of-length delivery to third man. Got it fine enough to beat the fielder on the boundary too. Mashrafe responds by putting in a slip. Rohit and Raina respond by sneaking four singles. The fielders are all back on the circle and there is plenty of empty space in front of them. 10 from this over.

And we are back.

The rain has stopped. The match will start again in four minutes.

Over 38.1: India 186/3 (Rohit 83, Raina 38)

Taskin’s turn to try and stem the tide. Raina runs a quick two to the offside and the drizzle gets too strong for the players to continue. The players are coming off and the covers are going on. Might be a good time for a break for Bangladesh. They were strating to unravel.

Rubel: Mere Paas Pace hai
Rohit: Mere pass Suresh Hai#INDvsBAN

— InGenious (@Bees_Kut) March 19, 2015

Over 38: India 184/3 (Rohit 83, Raina 36)

Rubel misfires with a low fulltoss outside legstump and Raina doesn’t miss out. Just turns his wrists on it to pick up four more runs. The other five deliveries for singles, which makes it nine from the over.

India winning the PowerPlay so far.

Two balls outside the leg stump with the field not set for them in the last few balls. Bangladesh’s control is quickly slipping away.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) March 19, 2015

Mashrafe responds by bringing back Rubel.

Over 37: India 175/3 (Rohit 81, Raina 29)

Shakib comes back and Raina slams him back over long-on first ball for SIX! After a single, Rohit slog-sweeps Shakib to the square leg boundary for four. Eleven from the over, 20 from the first two in the PowerPlay.

How will Bangladesh respond to the pressure?

Over 36: India 164/3 (Rohit 77, Raina 22)

Raina backs away and goes inside-out over cover to Mashrafe’s first ball. He picks up another boundary by dabbing the ball past point and with third man up, it races to rope. Nine from the over.

Mashrafe bowling at 115 kph. That isn’t going to do it.

Time for the mandatory Batting PowerPlay.,

Over 35: India 155/3 (Rohit 77, Raina 13)

Another tidy over from Nasir. He hasn’t looked like taking wickets but he has tied one end up and helped keep the pressure on India’s batsmen. That’s what Bangladesh needed.

NOT OUT! Wow, that was close! #IND now 3-152 (34).

LIVE: http://t.co/mcCTJ6Vr1d #cwc15 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/nyZRuthdfC

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 19, 2015

Over 34: India 152/3 (Rohit 76, Raina 11)

Big appeal for LBW as Raina shuffles across his stumps. Umpire says not out. Mashrafe asks for a review and Hawk-eye shows the ball pitched a stitch outside legstump. Raina survives. Ball would have crashed into offstump. A fired up Mashrafe then beats a Raina prod with extra bounce.

After a single, Rohit rubs it in by sliding the ball past the keeper to the boundary. Bring’s up India’s 150.

Over 33: India 147/3 (Rohit 72, Raina 10)

Nasir bowls his 8th over. Largely uneventful. Just four from it.

Over 32: India 143/3 (Rohit 70, Raina 8)

Mashrafe starts with a short, wide one that Rohit is happy to send crashing past point. A sloppy throw from the next ball gives India three when it should have been just one. Poor fielding again hands Rohit two runs when again it should have been one to midwicket.

India’s best over so far – 11 runs from it

Mashrafe Mortaza is back. This could be the break India needs.

Time for drinks again.

Total score predictions stand revised. Looks like 250-260 pitch. But to get that too Rohit may have to bat right thru #DilSay #BingPredicts

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 19, 2015

Over 31: India 132/3 (Rohit 60, Raina 8)

Nasir getting practically no turn on this pitch. The ball mostly going straight through. Rohit plays for the turn and gets a leading edge to the first ball. The rest of the over passes in a succession of singles.

Peter Moores: "Duncan, Ravi, did you check the data?"
Dhoni: "Bitch please, We got Rohit Sharma! Talent > Data"#CWC15

— cricBC (@cricBC) March 19, 2015

Over 30: India 126/3 (Rohit 57, Raina 6)

Taskin is rewarded by his captain with another over but is not rewarded by the Cricket Gods when he gets Raina driving on the front foot. The edge flies to second slip but since it is the 30th over and Bangladesh only has one slip, Raina picks up four runs.

Over 29: India 120/3 (Rohit 56, Raina 1)

Nasir slides one down legside and the ball beats Raina and the keeper and goes for four byes. Meanwhile Alim Dar appears to have been stung on the neck by a wasp or a bee. He is in some discomfort and play is held up for a few minutes. Six from the over.

Suresh Raina is the new batsman.

Nasir Hossain is back.

Over 28: India 115/3 (Rohit 55)

 Too full and too straight from Taskin and Rohit drives him sweetly to the midwicket boundary.

OUT! Rahane has been struggling to get the ball out of the infield. Tries to go over the top but the ball just stops on him and he scoops to mid-off, where Shakib takes a good chance running to his left. Bangladesh players chest bumping all over the place in celebration. One enthusiastic bump send Taskin sprawling to the floor. He has a big smile on his face. And with good reason too.

AM Rahane c Shakib Al Hasan b Taskin Ahmed 19 (37b 1×4 0x6)

Over 27: India 108/2 (Rohit 50, Rahane 18)

That boundary seems to have injected some urgency into the batsmen. Rohit gets a huge roar when he punches the ball to mid-on for a single to bring up his 50. Taken him 70 balls and includes four fours and a six.  

Just three from Shakib’s sixth over.

Good comeback by Bangladesh in the last 10 overs.Both these batsmen need 2 change the momentum & break the rhythm of the bowlers. #CWC2015

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 19, 2015

Over 26: India 105/2 (Rohit 48, Rahane 17)

India at last bring up their 100 when Rahane clips Taskin through midwicket for two. The boundary drought finally ends when Rahane gets a big nick to a short ball but there is no slip and the ball races to the third man fence.

10 overs now since the last boundary.

Over 25: India 99/2 (Rohit 48, Rahane 11)

Shakib beats Rahane in flight as the batsman comes down the track looking to go inside-out. The ball strikes the pads and runs away to the offside, allowing a single. Two more singles follow but that’s it. India finding it difficult to up the scoring rate. Or hit a boundary.

Over 24: India 96/2 (Rohit 47, Rahane 10)

Taskin on the money from the start. Pounds away at that offstump. Rahane tucks the ball to mid-on for a solitary single from the fourth ball, which accounts for the scoring in the over.

Rubel gets a well earned break. Taskin takes his place.

Over 23: India 95/2 (Rohit 47, Rahane 9)

A slightly looser over from Shakib. Six from it. Rahane was beaten by the last delivery though as he tried to turn it to the legside.

In other news, it has been 8 overs – 48 balls – since India’s last boundary though. That’s not a good combination with rain looming. If D/L has to be used, the scoring rate will hurt India.

Those clouds look ominous... #IndvsBan #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/GDZfljmpvI

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 19, 2015

Over 22: India 89/2 (Rohit 45, Rahane 5)

Rubel gets a sixth over. He continues to keep India quiet. Three singles are all the batsmen can manage. This partnership is scoring at 2.40 runs an over.

Over 21: India 86/2 (Rohit 43, Rahane 4)

Shakib keeping India on a tight leash. Just 14 have come from the last five overs and India have lost two wickets.

Over 20: India 84/2 (Rohit 42, Rahane 3)

Another good over from Rubel. Just three from it. He could do with pitching the ball up more though.

Hmmm. Signs of a turnaround emerging. Tight, aggressive bowling by B'desh. Start preparing to eat my words?

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 19, 2015

Over 19: India 81/2 (Rohit 41, Rahane 1)

Just two singles from the over. India have to regroup. Kohli’s wicket has changed the feel of the game. Bangladesh have a foothold now.

Ajinkya Rahane is the new batsman.

Over 17.5: India 79/2 (Rohit 40)

Kohli got off the mark straight away in the previous over by driving Shakib through the covers for two.

OUT! Kohli fails against Bangladesh! Wide from Hossain and it tempts Kohli into the drive away from his body. Kohli just throws his arms at it and Mushfiqur takes a good catch diving to his right. That will be a huge psychological lift for Bangladesh.

V Kohli c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Rubel Hossain 3 (8b 0x4 0x6)

That was a lazy shot from Dhawan.

Over 16.2: India 75/1 (Rohit 40)

OUT! Dhawan is stumped. Comes down the track to Shakib. The ball doesn’t turn and goes straight past the outside edge. Mushfiqur does the rest. Replays show Dhawan’s foot is an inch outside of the crease when the bails comes off. Huge roar when the umpire gives him out.

S Dhawan st †Mushfiqur Rahim b Shakib Al Hasan 30 (50b 3×4 0x6)

Run rate somewhat sluggish, but no wicket lost yet is bad news for B'desh. Total of 300+ on would you say? #DilSay #BingPredicts

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 19, 2015

Mashrafe throws on Shakib as Bangladesh hunt for their first wicket.

Over 16: India 72/0 (Rohit 39, Dhawan 28)

Hossain surprises Dhawan with a sharp bouncer. That encourages him to bowl a few more and Bangladesh go up loudly for a caught behind after Dhawan goes for the hook but the ball speeds past his gloves. Bangladesh decide not to review and that is a good decision. Replays show nothing – no deflection, no spike on Snicko. Just two from the over.

And it is time for drinks.

Over 15: India 70/0 (Rohit 38, Dhawan 27)

Nasir served up a full toss outside off to Dhawan but he only gets one to long-on. Rohit has enough, goes down the track and hammers Nasir down the ground for SIX! India needed that. They were letting the spinners do as they pleased.

Bangladesh hanging in well, their spinners dragging it back a bit, India yet to break loose - and India's batsmen aren't running hard either

— Scyld Berry (@scyldberry) March 19, 2015

Over 14: India 63/0 (Rohit 32, Dhawan 26)

Rubel also choosing to bowl short. Dean Jones explains that strategy takes bowled and LBWs out of the equation. He wants to see the bowlers pitch it up more. Four singles from the over.

Over 13: India 59/0 (Rohit 30, Dhawan 24)

Nasir has switched ends. Keeps the damage down to three singles. India haven’t looked troubled by haven’t raced away either. That said, this is an excellent start in the context of the tournament, where the bulk of the runs have been scored at the backend of innings.

Over 12: India 56/0 (Rohit 28, Dhawan 23)

Good start from Hossain. Just a single from it. Also beat Dhawan outside off with one that moved away slightly.

Time for some Rubel Hossain.

Over 11: India 55/0 (Rohit 27, Dhawan 23)

Mahmudullah bowls five good balls and one half-tracker that Rohit pulls for two as the ball gets dragged back near the ropes. India should probably have run three.

Bangladesh’s batting star – Mahmuddulah – has been called upon to bowl his offspin.

Mortaza waiting for the ball to get old so Rubel gets reverse swing? Can't think of any other reason to bring an offie in the 6th over!

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 19, 2015

Over 10: India 51/0 (Rohit 24, Dhawan 22)

Nasir continues. Rohit brings up the 50 by hammering a short ball right back to the bowler, who just fails to get his hand under the ball. Would have been an exceptional return catch. Instead, the ball squirms away for a single. Four runs from the over.

Over 9: India 47/0 (Rohit 22, Dhawan 20)

Mashrafe keeps himself on and India continue to profit. Dhawan mistimes a pull shot but gets two over midwicket. He then flicks the second ball through midwicket and it teases the chasing fielder into diving but beats him to the fence. Six from the over.

Mashrafe struggling to find his rhythm now. Should probably take himself off.

Over 8: India 41/0 (Rohit 22, Dhawan 14)

Just a single comes off Nasir’s first five balls. Rohit decides he’s had enough, chips down the track and goes over mid-off to pick up four runs.

Nasir continues so Taksin has been taken off.

Over 7: India 36/0 (Rohit 18, Dhawan 13)

Mashrafe a touch too short to Dhawan and gets punched past point for four. Dhawan played that with a vertical bat rather than a horizontal one. Dhawan repeats the shot two balls later for two more and then glides Mashrafe to third man for a single to end the over. Eight from it.

Mashrafe has been ordinary so far and might be struggling with his knee.

Over 6: India 28/0 (Rohit 17, Dhawan 6)

Two singles are all Nasir concedes from his first over.

Nasir Hossain comes on. Whether it is just to allow the bowlers to switch ends or whether Mashrafe believes it is time for spin remains to be seen. Slip and leg-slip in place.

Over 5: India 26/0 (Rohit 16, Dhawan 5)

After a leg-bye, calamity almost strikes for India when Dhawan slips trying to take a quick single. Rohit punched the ball past the bowler and took off. Dhawan responded but tumbled over. Luckily, the field at mid-on was not alert and threw to the bowler’s end, not the keeper’s and Dhawan was able to get home. A second sharp single, this time off Dhawan’s bat, make it three from the over.

Over 4: India 23/0 (Rohit 15, Dhawan 4)

Rohit monopolising the strike. Taksin tries to bounce him. Rohit says, not today kid and pulls behind square off one leg to pick up four more. On commentary Sourav Ganguly says Taksin should pitch the ball up, which he promptly does, and he beats Rohit’s expansive drive all ends up. There is a little bit of seam movement when the ball is pitched up. A clip off his pads for two make it six from the over.

FYI, That’s 12 straight deliveries Rohit has faced. He just doesn’t like single.

Pretty sure there is a bet going on today between Sharma & Dhawan on who can play more spectacular authentic cricket shots. #CWC15

— cricBC (@cricBC) March 19, 2015

Over 3: India 17/0 (Rohit 9, Dhawan 4)

Mashrafe also too full and Rohit gently pushes him straight down the ground. Timing and a quick outfield does the rest. Mashrafe surprises Rohit with extra bounce off the last ball and Rohit does well to adjust and deflect the ball short of second slip. India get their first single out off it too. Five from the over.

Over 2: India 12/0 (Rohit 4, Dhawan 4)

Taskin, sensibly, focused on bowling across Dhawan. Less sensibly, after five dot balls, he pitched his final delivery up too far and Dhawan punched him through the offside for his first boundary.

The 19-year-old Taskin Ahmed will bowl the second over with the second new ball.

Over 1: India 8/0 (Rohit 4, Dhawan 0)

Mashrafe starts off with a wide half-volley and Rohit leans on it and punches it through the covers. Mashrafe comes back with a beauty of a third ball that zings past Rohit’s outside edge as the batsman defends. But then gets sloppy trying to bring the ball back into Rohit. Slides down legside and India four leg-byes to fine leg.

 Unsurprisingly, Rohit faces all six deliveries. Singles are not Rohit’s friend.

Huge roar as Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma walk out to the middle. A little fist bump between the two before they head for opposite ends of the pitch.

Anthem time.... #cwc15 #indvban #ind #ban pic.twitter.com/i8Ntwl68Sl

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 19, 2015

The MCG is loud and blue and rocking. What an experience being there must be.

The national anthems of both teams teams were written by Rabindranath Tagore.

Much as I want India to win, hoping for close exciting match with Bangladesh. And then dreaming of India vs Pak semis! #CWC15 #INDvsBAN

— Rafat Ali, Media Operator & Dad (@rafat) March 19, 2015

Most INTL matches as Captain:
324 Ricky Ponting,
303 Stephen Fleming,
286* MS Dhoni,
286 Graeme Smith,
271 Allan Border.#IndvBan #CWC15

— Cricket Records (@cricinfo_record) March 19, 2015

The teams are getting ready to walk out on to the field for the national anthems.

It was always advantage India but even more now...Mortaza has lost an important toss. #DimagSay #BingPredicts

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 19, 2015

MELBOURNE: @BCCI wins toss, elects to bat against @BCBTigers in second quarter-final of #CWC15. SQUADS pic.twitter.com/vdJCpVq7WO

— ICC Media (@ICCMediaComms) March 19, 2015

Here are some fun facts for you courtesy Opta Stats while we wait for the game to start at 9 a.m.

– Kohli loves Bangladesh’s bowling, He has reached 50 in five of his six innings against Bangladesh (three of which have been converted into centuries), averaging 126.5 with a strike rate of exactly 100.

– Dhoni likes their bowling too. Since the start of the 2007 World Cup MS Dhoni has been dismissed once by bowlers in the Bangladesh squad, scoring 142 runs from 155 balls faced.

Mashrafe says Bangladesh would have batted first too if they have won the toss. He is back in the side, so one change. Bangladesh have been working on their fielding to cut down the twos and threes on this big MCG ground.

Dhoni: You have to have the respect but at the same time be confident of your strengths. I feel every team is a good team.

Dhoni has won the toss and will bat first. Put runs on the board and look to defend it. Everyone is fit so India is playing the same side. Dhoni says the seamers have surprised him “a lot”. Not like Indian fast bowlers to bowl in the same areas. They have kept hitting the same area, which is different from before. Big development for us. Something we need in the Test venues also.

Mashrafe says Bangladesh will be positive and hope to play their best. MS says playing these big games is getting harder and harder, not easier.

We are a few minutes away from the toss.

The average winning score at the MCG over the last 10 games is 290. Seven of the ten games were won batting first.

World Cup 2015: India’s success so far has come in unconventional ways – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

India have counfounded expectations in this tournament too. They have led with pace but also used spin to great effect. And they are playing with a freedom that hasn’t been seen for a while.

Hellos from the #MCG... Its bright n sunny... Clear blue skies! #IndvsBan #IND #Ban #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/T1sFR0GNAo

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 19, 2015

Here’s Jigar Mehta’s take on what Bangladesh have to do to have a chance of beating India.

World Cup: To beat India, Bangladesh have to play fearlessly – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

India have a perfect record and have beaten Bangladesh in 24 of the 27 ODIs they have played against each other but India can’t afford to take Bangladesh lightly. The Tigers have shown in this tournament that they are not going to wilt under the spotlight and they have a World Cup win over India to boast of as well. They will be pumped up and ready to go for this game.

India also have a tendency to ease up when they believe the hard work is done. India’s best two games in the Group stage were against Pakistan and South Africa. The toughest were against West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of India’s World Cup quarterfinal against Bangladesh.