India make opening statement

Mirpur, Favourites India launched their campaign in style as they thrashed Bangladesh by 45 runs in the opening encounter of the Asia Cup here today. An attacking 83 by opener Rohit Sharma turned out to be the cornerstone of India’s victory.
Put in to bat on a pacer-friendly wicket, India scored a challenging 166/6 after they were reduced to 42/3 at one stage. In reply, Bangladesh were never in the game and were eventually restricted to 121/7. Veteran Ashish Nehra (3/23) was literally unplayable with his variations and brisk pace. It was a welcome victory for India and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Bangladesh soil after their disastrous ODI series loss here last year.
Rohit paced his innings to perfection amidst the top-order collapse, hitting seven fours and three sixes. He was well supported by young Hardik Pandya, who smashed a quickfire 18-ball 31. The Rohit-Pandya stand yielded 61 runs for the fifth wicket in just 4.3 overs.
While India looked in trouble at 52/3 after the first 10 overs, the next 10 saw them score 114 runs, thanks to Rohit who enthralled one and all with his dazzling stroke play. When he was dismissed — Soumya Sarkar held a brilliant catch in the deep — India had not only recovered but were also on their way to a competitive target.
Rohit curbed his natural game in the beginning, taking into account the nature of the pitch and the position his team was in with top three already back in the dug-out. In fact, he scored his first 20 runs off 24 balls with India managing only 52 runs in the first 10 overs.
Turning point
The turning point of the match came in the 11th over, bowled by Taskin Ahmed. At 21 at that time, Rohit slashed hard but Shakib al Hasan dropped the catch at point and that changed the course of the game. Rohit took full advantage of the opportunity, plundering 14 runs, including two fours and a six, in the next three deliveries. Thereafter, he was simply unstoppable.
Bangladesh, in reply, got off to a disastrous start. Nehra got one to swing back to castle right-handed opener Mohammed Mithun (1), while Soumya Sarkar edged a Jasprit Bumrah delivery to be caught behind. Bangladesh were 15/2 in no time. R Ashwin removed Imrul Kayes (14), and Bangladesh were in deep trouble at 51/3 after 10 overs. And when Shakib Al Hasan (3) was run-out, the hosts were practically out of the game.
Shabbir Rahaman struck a fighting 44 but it was never going to be enough as India had choked the flow of runs from the other end.