Virat Kohli is currently churning out hundreds at will. A stat says that 13 out of his 19 ODI hundreds have resulted in Indian victories. Today was just another day in office for Kohli and India.
India won the toss and opted to bowl, considering the dew factor. The bowlers were erratic at the start and it was no surprise that the only threatening bowler India has amidst their ranks, Mohammed Shami took the first wicket. Spin was introduced as early as in the 12th over and R. Ashwin sitting out of the South Africa series , got a wicket to his name on the first ball he bowled. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim joined Anamul Haque and put on a 133 run third wicket partnership which steadied the Bangladesh ship and helped them post a competitive score. Especially Rahim was severe on the Indian bowlers, with him taking Varun Aaron to the cleaners. His length was awry and the ball coming at a pace served out to be easy picking for the Bangladeshi batsmen. His overs 8 and 9 went for 12 and 19 runs respectively. Crucially, he twice bowled beamers at Rahim and one hit him in the chest and was disqualified legally from bowling again in the match. India might consider replacing Aaron with Ishwar Pandey for the next match. Rahim was brilliant this innings and his shot selection was spot on. In the absence of Tamim and Shakib he had to stay till the end, which he rightly did and Bangladesh was able to post a strong total of 279.
Indian openers Dhawan and Rohit began tentatively as is their norm. They relied on boundaries and the strike barely rotated. Suddenly, when they were settling into their groove, Bangladeshi spinners dismissed them against the run of play. In came Virat, who is in a rich vein of form and he was joined by Ajinkya Rahane. They took their time to settle down, Virat was tentative early on with the pitch misbehaving, but once the innings progressed, he grew in confidence and punished the spinners whenever they erred in length. Long hops were smacked over midwicket and balls at pads were brutally flicked. Giving him solid company was Rahane who rotated the strike well and handed Kohli most of the strike. Suddenly, at the end of the 32nd over India were 160/2 and were cruising towards victory. Soon Kohli brought his 19th ODI hundred and cooly soaked in the applause. By the time the fans were starting to vacate the stadium and by the time the 40th over was bowled most of the fans had left the ground. Rahane eased to his 50 and with the match done and dusted Virat and Rahane got dismissed. Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu completed the formalities.
The most interesting aspect was when the channel broadcasted a clipping which showed how Kohli had matured. It was Asia cup 2012 when, after a century against Pakistan Kohli was hurling expletives and was seen celebrating in anger. Fast forward 2014 he just soaked in the applause and lifted his butt towards the camera and later told in the presentation this was a tribute to his father. Times have changed for the better! Going by the rate at which he is churning out 100’, in the top ODI hundred scorers list, he may soon move to fifth spot from his current eighth spot because the four people above him are retired and have around 20-22 hundreds. In the next match India is playing his favorite opposition Sri Lanka, he may soon move to No 20.