Champions Trophy: India crush Bangladesh by 240 runs in warm-up game
London: Just what the doctor ordered! India registered an emphatic 240-run victory over Bangladesh in their second and final warm-up game of the Champions Trophy at The Oval, London on Tuesday, thus giving them loads of confidence ahead of the much awaited high voltage clash against arch-rival Pakistan. Chasing the target of 324, Bangladesh bowed down before the Indian pace-attack and were bundled out for mere 84 runs in just 23.5 overs. Apart from Mehedi Hasan (24), Sunzamul Islam (18) and Mushfiqur Rahim (13), none of the Bangladeshi batsmen could stand the hostile fast bowling of the Indian pacers, especially Bhuvaneshwar kumar (3/13 in five overs) and Umesh Yadav (3/13 in five overs). Both the pacers wrecked havoc on the Bangladeshi batsmen and it was such a sorry state of affairs for the minnows that they were 22-6 after eight overs. Apart from the duo, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya also chipped in with a wicket each and presented a strong case for their selection in the playing XI in the group matches of the tournament. Earlier, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who couldn't score against New Zealand in the first practice match, played a blistering knock of 94 before getting retired out. His 77-ball knock consisted of 8 fours and a six. Apart from him, opener Shikhar Dhawan (60 off 67 balls) and Pandya (80 off 54) also proved their mettle going into the tournament and helped India to put up a strong total of 324 runs. Pandya's flambouyant knock especially was the highlight of the Indian innings as he looked in prime form. His unbeaten 54-ball inning was studded with 6 fours and 4 sixes. The Virat Kohli-led side will begin their title defence with the much anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 4 at Edgbaston, Birminghum. —ANI
