India opener Rohit Sharma equalled Kumar Sangakkara's record of scoring most centuries in a World Cup—four—to guide India to a challenging 314/9 against Bangladesh at Birmingham.
The India vice-captain (104) shared a 180-run opening stand with K.L. Rahul (77)—the highest of the tournament—to set his team up for a huge total. But the final flourish was once again missing, as India could score only 63 runs in the last 10 overs. Under-fire Mahendra Singh Dhoni managed to score a 33-ball 35, but failed to find the big shots as Mustafizur Rahman (5/59) and Shakib Al Hasan (1/41) used their variations brilliantly.
Rahman, in particular, was in devastating form with his slow off-cutters, accounting for Hardik Pandya (0), Dinesh Karthik (8), Mohammad Shami (1), Dhoni and skipper Virat Kohli (26).
India chose to bat after winning the toss. En route his ton, that had seven fours and five sixes, Sharma equalled Sangakkara's record, having already scored 122 not out (vs South Africa), 140 (vs Pakistan) and 102 (vs England). He also became the leading run-scorer in this tournament, with 544 runs.
Mashrafe Mortaza started the proceedings but pulled himself out after solitary over.
Sharma enjoyed a reprieve on 9 when Tamim Iqbal, at deep mid-wicket, dropped a sitter off Rahman.
Kohli (26 off 27 balls), after five successive half-centuries, missed out on one more big score while Rishabh Pant (48) looked good playing some audacious shots.
Even as Pandya missed out after being deceived by an off-cutter from Rahman, Pant took it upon himself, hitting Saifuddin for three successive boundaries in the 40th over.
Just when it looked that Pant will launch a brutal final assault, his mistimed slog sweep went straight to Mosaddek at deep backward square, who somehow managed to hold on to the catch after an initial fumble.
Dhoni showed more intent than the last matches, but again struggled to hit the big shots in the end overs.
(With PTI inputs)
