India wrapped their preparations for th🦩e ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 with a thumping 95-run victory over Bangladesh in their second and final warm-up match in꧋ Cardiff on Tuesday (May 28).
KL Rahul’s stylish hundred at No. 4 and a throwback to MS Dhoni’s days of yore were the big gains for India.
Rahul (108 off 99 balls) took the attack back to the opposition after early dismissals while Dhoni’s free-spirited approach also got him a century (113 off 78 balls) as their 164-run partnership for the 5th wicket powered India to 359/7 against a Bangladesh attack that went off the boil.
Bangladesh batsmen barring Liton Das (73) and Mushfiqur Rahim (90), who added 120 runs for the third wicket, were never i✱n the chase. They were bundled out for 264 in 49.3 overs.
Among bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav (3/47 in 10 overs) and Yuzv🤡endra Chahal (3/55 in 10 overs) gained in much-ne🃏eded confidence going into the tournament proper.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Ra💞hul showing his class , looked so much at ease in a fine century. And Dhoni showing what he is made ꧒of, smashing hundred. The middle order in form at the right time for India.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
So many questions answered by this @klrahul11 century! Must be a great feeling to enter❀ the tournament with with a ton behind you🏏
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
Is there still any argument about whether K L Rahul wi🥃ll get the start at No 4?????
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
78 ball 113. Strike Rate 144. Dhoni has announced his a🌊rrival in England. At the same venue where Team India, under his captaincy, started the victorious campaign. Good signs. ☺️🤗
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
A fine century by both @klrahul11 n sets India 🇮🇳 on course for the World Cup !! Team India has got what it takes to do re🐓ally well especially handling the pressure!! 🤞!!
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas)
MS Dhoni's fastest centuries in Indian colours have come in the warm-up games ahead of the World Cup.
62 balls vs NZ, 2011 CWC (Warm-up)
73 balls vs BAN, 2019 CWC (Warm-up)— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats)
KL Rahul is definitely not my favourite playe😼r for that position but he has showed the hunger desire and willingness to fight which is a great sign for Team India
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani)
Dream warm up game for India…found their no 4 and spinners got some of their confidence back.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)
Very pleasing to see @klrahul11 showing his class at #4 for
Think India’s top 6 is now nailed down for ?— Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson)
Rahul will definitely be number four. The hole in India's batting has been filled.
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg)
India were 88/3 after 20 overs.
Finished with 359/7 after 50 overs.
Tells you why they back their game the way they do. The challenge is to get that acceleration 271/4 in 30 overs ﷽vs better bo🤪wling sides.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
MS Dhoni's 100s in World Cup warm-ups…
– 108* (64b, 11f, 3s) v New Zealand at Chennai on 16 Feb 2011 (India 360/5)
– 113 (78b, 8f, 7s) v Bangladesh at Cardiff on 28 May 2019 (India 359/7)
And we all know what happened in 2011.😁— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
Breaking up Acceleration System !! MS Dhoni
14 of 20 b
24 of 25 b
39 of 35 b
62 of 49 b
79 of 65 b
105 of 73 b
113 of 78 balls.— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu)
One of the best of and @klrahul11 – will keep the India drawing room warm too
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
This♓ is the Dhoni that we have seen over the years, we wanted to see and we want to see. What timing!
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman)