ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: KL Rahul, MS Dhoni tons guide India to a 95-run victory over Bangladesh

Cardiff, May 28: Young KL Rahul and old guard MS Dhoni slammed brilliant centuries as India bounced back from a disappointing outing in their previous World Cup warm-up game with a stunning 95-run victory in their last warm-up match over Bangladesh on Tuesday.

After being put into bat India posted an imposing 359/7 against Bangladesh in their second ICC World Cup 2019 warm-up game here on Tuesday (May 28).

Rahul ended the debate for number four spot with his sublime century before the talented batsman was dismissed for 108 while veteran Dhoni notched up a fine ton off 73 deliveries. The duo added 164 runs between them and punished Bangladesh bowlers in the middle overs.

KL Rahul settles India's No. 4 debate

With their performances both these batsmen must have brought a sigh of relief on the faces of Indian think tank who were looking plug in the gaping holes in the middle order before the start of the tournament. Dhoni scored 113 off 78 while Rahul was dismissed for 108 (99 balls) and ensured their team post a total in excess of 350 at Sofia Gardens.

The last time MS Dhoni scored a century - 129 (107b, 10f, 6s) - was for Jharkhand against Chattisgarh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 26 Feb 2017 in the 50 over Vijay Hazare Trophy.#INDvBAN #CWC19

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) May 28, 2019

Rahul and Dhoni played the spinners brilliantly and didn't give too many chances to the opposition bowlers to put them under pressure. Earlier, India captain Virat Kohli scored 47 off 46 deliveries before he was cleaned up by Mohammad Saifuddin.

Indian openers departed cheaply after Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza invited Kohli to bat under overcast conditions in Cardiff. Both Shikhar Dhawan (1) and Rohit Sharma (19) fell cheaply and gave Bangladesh bowlers early success.

CWC 2019 Special Page | Full Schedule

All rounder Hardik Pandya (21 off 11), Dinesh Karthik (7* off 5) and Ravindra Jadeja (11* off 4) got a chance to bat in the death overs and added some runs quickly.

Kedar Jadhav, who is still recovering from the shoulder injury, missed out while Vijay Shankar, who was back in the Indian team, failed to impress. He was dismissed for 2.

Look who's joined the party 😎😎

MS Dhoni brings up a quick fire 💯 in the warm-up game against Bangladesh 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/dtqPwVNktW

— BCCI (@BCCI) May 28, 2019

Mortaza was the most economical bowler for Bangladesh as he conceded just 23 runs from his 6 overs, including a couple of maiden overs. Rubel Hossain and Shakib al Hasan grabbed a couple of wickets each but they were very expensive.

In reply, Bangladesh only managed to put up 264. The Indian spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (3/47) and Yuzvendra Chahal (3/55) made light of the Bangladesh middle-order.

Rahul showing his class , looked so much at ease in a fine century. And Dhoni showing what he is made of, smashing hundred. The middle order in form at the right time for India. #BANvIND

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 28, 2019

Bangladesh began on a strong footing with Das and Soumya Sarkar reaching 49 without no loss, before Jasprit Bumrah handed India the breakthrough. Liton Das (73) and Mushfiqur Rahim (90) put up a fight as they notched up a brilliant 120-run stand between them, but once the partnership was broken the Indian bowlers ripped through Mashrafe Mortaza’s men as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

While India will be happy with the win and with Rahul’s show at the number 4 slot, Bangladesh will be content with Das and Rahim’s knocks ahead of their tournament opener against South Africa on June 2.