Rahul, Dhoni power India to 359 in warm-up match against Tigers

Lokesh Rahul and MS Dhoni’s tons helped India to a mammoth total of 359/7 in 50 overs against Bangladesh in their last warm-up match at Cardiff on Tuesday.

Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bowl first but failed to take advantage of the condition in spite of a good start, according to a news agency.

Tigers managed an imperious start by taking the first wicket in five runs. Mustafizur Rahman trapped Shikhar Dhawan lbw for one. The southpaw went to play across the line and ended up missing it.

While posting 102 runs, India lost three other key wickets of Rohit Sharma, captain Virat Kohli and Vijay Shankar within 22 overs.

Rohit fell for 19 off 42 when Rubel Hossain shattered his stumps. Five overs later, Mohammad Saifuddin removed Kohli with a cracking yorker. The Indian skipper scored 47 off 46 with five fours.

Rubel removed Vijay who came to bat at four. Vijay tried to clear the ball through cover but was beaten by the movement. Mushfiqur Rahim took an easy catch behind the wicket.

However, in the fifth wicket stand, Rahul and Dhoni added 164 runs. The partnership came to an end with the dismissal of Rahul, who fell for 108 off 99 balls with 12 fours and four sixes. He completed the ton off 94 balls.

Rahul was removed by Sabbir Rahman. Rahul tried to put it through short fine but missed the line.

Dhoni hit his ton off 73 balls with eight fours and six sixes. He completed the century with a cannon-powered six off Abu Jayed Rahi. He ended up on 113 off 78 balls before getting out on a flighted delivery by Shakib Al Hasan. The right-handed batsman came down the wicket but missed the line. 

For the Tigers, Rubel and Shakib took two wickets each while Mustafizur, Saifuddin and Sabbir bagged one each.

Bangladesh’s required run rate is 7.2.