Sharma-led India too good for Bangladesh in ICC World Cup quarters

Century-man Rohit Sharma lifted defending champions India off the ropes to a quarterfinal win over Bangladesh in Melbourne on Thursday.

Given a life on 90, Sharma's 137 steadied a sluggish start by India before headlining a late assault that dragged the 2011 world champions to 6/302.

Needing to break the record for highest successful chase at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a spirited Bangladesh was hardly helped by line-ball decisions going against the Tigers. Hitting out as the required run-rate grew, the world No.9 fell for 193 in the 45th over, 109 runs short of their opponents.

Opener Sharma steadied the innings before kicking free at the batting powerplay alongside fifth-batsman Suresh Raina, who repaid fans for his slow start with a blitzing 65 from 57 balls.

India had not lost a wicket during a batting powerplay from their previous six matches and with Sharma and Raina at the helm, their 0/50 five-over stint in Melbourne again ignited a rush of runs.

Ravindra Jadeja chipped in for a late 23 from 10 to tip India past 300, a mark much more imposing at the expansive MCG.

Tamim Iqbal, the hero when Bangladesh chased down India at the 2007 World Cup, hinted at a replica performance but could only make 25.

Umesh Yadav snuffed out any promising innings to lead with match-best figures of 4/31. Mohammed Shami (2/37) and Jadeja (2/42) shared braces.

A lack of class and composure on the big stage, combined with some misfortune, outdid the gallant Tigers.

Batsman Mohammad Mahmudullah (21) was agonizingly given out when a juggling Shikhar Dharwan stepped just centimeters from the boundary cushion at long leg.

Dharwan tossed up the ball twice before completing the catch and though replays showed his left foot inches from the boundary, Mahmudullah's innings and his promising 40-run third-wicket partnership with Soumya Sarkar (29) were ended by the television umpire.

In a more controversial decision, Sharma was granted a reprieve on 90 after thumping a Rubel Hossain full toss into the hands of a deep square leg fielder. The umpires immediately called a waist-high no-ball though television replays left much to be desired with the ball, at best, on track for Sharma's mid-thigh.

Bangladesh had a right to feel robbed when the Indian opener brought up his maiden World Cup century two overs later and kicked off the late assault that lifted India past 300.

As the pressure turned onto the Bangladeshis, the world No.9 struggled to cope.

Captain Mashrafe Mortaza, whose expensive figures of 1/69 were the worst from the Tigers, publicly berated his teammates for multiple fielding errors, including 19-year-old Taskin Ahmed.

Mortaza aggressively scolded his young paceman, who took 3/69, for failing to back up at the non-striker's end that contributed to two overthrows late in the innings.

Mortaza, seemingly less critical of his own performance, gave himself his full allocation of ten overs despite rarely threatening - he bagged his only wicket in his final over when Raina misjudged a slog over midwicket.

Earlier, a disciplined Bangladesh had stunned the cricketing powerhouses by sending dangerous pair Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan on their way cheaply.

Kohli, who averages more than 120 against the Tigers, was caught behind for 3 after surrendering to a tempting Rubel Hossain delivery wide of off-stump.

He followed back the opener Dhawan who was stumped shortly after drinks for 30.

Rahane (19) put together a small partnership with Sharma before also joining Kohli in the stands.

Under the pressure of threatening bowling and stalling at 3/126 with 30 overs bowled, India needed a savior and, for the world No.2's sake, thankfully Sharma delivered.

Needing the biggest run chase ever surmounted on the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Bangladesh started in fine fashion.

Tamim pulled his side through 30 inside six overs with floored cover drives that picked the gaps, but the promising start was abruptly truncated.

Chasing a Umesh Yadav leg-cutter, he edged behind to end his run-a-ball innings on 25.

Fellow opener Imrul Kayes was soon on his way when, on the very next ball, he was run-out after a mix-up with new batsman Sarkar. Both batsmen tentatively moved down the pitch after Sarkar knocked a ball to backward square leg but, with both ball-watching, Imrul failed to see his partner had retreated.

Within two balls, the world No.9 had made their futile task virtually inconceivable.

Sarkar and Mahmudullah's partnership was soon felled, as was the follow-up between Sarkar and star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

Nasir Hossain (35) and the unbeaten Sabbir Rahman (30) collected some consolation runs after the damage had long been done.

India advances to the semi-final on Mar.26 in Sydney and await the winner of Friday's match in Adelaide between host Australia and equally formidable Pakistan. Endi