Dhoni, Kholi aid India to win

A superbly crafted century from MS Dhoni helped India defeat Bangladesh by four wickets in the triangular one-day series in Dhaka. Bangladesh had surprised all by choosing to bat first despite the dew factor, but skipper Shakib Al Hasan's decision was somewhat vindicated as openers Tamim Iqbal (60 from 42 deliveries) and Imrul Kayes (70) raised a solid platform and Mahmudullah (60 not out) added the finishing touches as Bangladesh posted 296 for six - their highest-ever ODI total against a Test-playing nation. The home side then made early inroads, but Dhoni (101) took control and, aided nicely by Virat Kohli's 91 and Suresh Raina's unbeaten 51, guided India to victory with 15 deliveries to spare.

India's bowling at the start was anything but composed and Bangladesh's openers took advantage.

Tamim dished out the early fireworks, driving new-ball bowler Ashish Nehra for a straight boundary for his first runs and thereafter keeping up the pressure.

Nehra took a battering and although Dhoni rang in the changes, there was no respite.India's woeful display with the ball was only compounded by an even poorer performance in the field, epitomised by Harbhajan Singh's failure to hold a simple catch from Kayes while the batsman was on four - Nehra the unfortunate bowler.

Tamim reached his 12th ODI half-century off only 33 deliveries and the opening pair added 80 for the first wicket, 73 of those runs coming in the first 10 overs.

Sreesanth, who shared the new ball with Nehra, eventually secured the breakthrough in his second spell by snaring Tamim, courtesy of a smart catch by Gautam Gambhir at short mid-wicket.

Mohammad Ashraful (29) and Kayes then consolidated, the pair adding 68 for the second wicket and the latter reaching a maiden fifty in the process.

India bounced back with the wickets of Ashraful, captain Shakib - run out for a duck - and Kayes in fairly quick time and Yuvraj Singh helped keep things quiet with a tidy spell.

But Raqibul Hossain chipped in with a useful 32 and Mahmudullah's excellent batting at the death gave the hosts a solid total.

India began their reply poorly, losing their top three wickets inside nine overs.

Virender Sehwag was run out, the result of brilliant work from bowler Abdur Razzak, Gambhir dragged a delivery from Rubel Hossain onto his stumps and Yuvraj was bowled playing down the wrong line to Syed Rasel.

At 51 for three, India were in a spot of bother, but Dhoni and Kohli hauled the visitors back from the brink.

The fourth-wicket pair, playing a risk-free and sensible game, gave India the edge with a 152-run stand.

Kohli, troubled by cramps, had called for a runner shortly after reaching his 50 and was within sight of a century when he perished, Shakib holding a good return catch.

Raina then starred in a 94-run undefeated stand for the fifth wicket, reaching his half-century with what was the final delivery of the innings.

Dhoni had reached his seventh ODI century only two deliveries earlier, the milestone garnishing an emphatic victory for India.