Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- India reached the semifinals of the ICC World Twenty20 with one match to spare beating next door rival and hosts Bangladesh by eight wickets in their 3rd Super-10 match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital Dhaka on Friday.
Defending ICC World Cup champions India, which also won the inaugural title of the World Twenty20 in 2007, made thing easier to book a seat for the last four earlier beating arch-rival Pakistan and West Indies, both by seven wickets.
Chasing, Bangladesh's decent 139 runs, India reached home making 141 in 18.1 overs for the loss of two wickets.
This was the third victory for India in a row in the tournament after beating Pakistan and West Indies in their group engagement.
After the early departure of opener Shikhar Dhawan, another opener Rohit Sharma pairing with first down Virat Kohli contributed 100 runs partnership for the second wicket stand to take India closer to the victory. Opener Rohit played a brilliant 44-ball of 56 runs hitting five boundaries and one over boundary.
Later, Kohli (57 n.o) completed the formalities with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni , who scored unbeaten 22 runs. The star batsman Kohli smashed three boundaries and one over boundary during his 50-ball stay on the crease. Mashrafe Mortaza and Al Amin Hossain bagged one wicket each for Bangladesh giving away 23 and 38 runs respectively.
Ravichandran Ashwin of India was named the player of the match for his brilliant performance on the day.
Earlier, Bangladesh scored 138 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs after they were forced to bat first by the Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Top order batsman Anamul Haque top scored with 44 runs while all rounder Mahmudullah added an unbeaten 33 runs after Bangladesh lost wickets in regular intervals in the face of tight bowling attacks by the Indian spinners.
Spinner Amit Mishra was the pick of India bowlers taking three wickets for 26 runs while Ravichandran Ashwin bagged two wicket giving away 15 runs.
India will play their last group match against Australia at the same venue on March 30
BBN/SSR/AD-28Mar14-11:55 pm (BST).
