Rohit Sharma continued his brilliance with the bat in the ongoing World Cup to help India beat Bangladesh by 28 runs at Edgbaston on Tuesday (June 2).
Opening the innings, the Indian vice-captain notched up his fourth ton of this World Cup which also happens to be the 26th century of his ODI career. Rohit added 180 runs for the opening wicket with KL Rahul to lay the foundation for India’s daunting total of 314/9, which the bowlers defended quite easily in the end by bundling out Bangladesh on 286 in 48 overs.
For his scintillating 104 off 92 balls with 7 fours and 5 sixes, Rohit was adjudged Player-of-the-Match. After the match, Sharma reflected on his knock and admitted that he was a bit lucky as Tamim Iqbal dropped an easy catch of him on just 9.
"I was lucky. Fortune favours the brave. I never think about the short boundary. My game is all about piercing the field and once I am in there the idea is to put pressure on the bowlers. My mantra is whatever has happened in the past, keep it in the past. It is a new day, present day and I don't try to think what has happened. That is very critical from a team's point of view, the guys who are batting well should carry on and get the team to a good total. What has happened today has happened, I need to focus on the next game now," Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
With this innings, Rohit also topped the run-charts of the ongoing World Cup with 544* runs to his name from seven innings. It was his second consecutive ton at Edgbaston after the 102 that he compiled against England on Sunday (June 30).
"I had a great feeling right at the start. The pitch was good to bat on. Initially wanted to take some time and then assess where we go from there. That's how it has been for me at this World Cup. The first game against South Africa the conditions were challenging, so I had to take my time. Against England as well the pitch was two paced and wasn't coming onto the bat as normally I would like to and they used the slower balls really well. But again batting first there is no pressure of the scoreboard. You come out thinking to be positive and that's what I do," he added.
Having qualified for the semi-final, India will face Sri Lanka in their last league match at Headingley on July 6.
