Holders India storm into World Cup semi-finals

Opener Rohit Sharma hits 137 as India thrash Bangladesh by 109 runs in the second quarter-final.

India''s batsman Rohit Sharma hits the ball for six runs during his Cricket World Cup quarter final match against Bangladesh in Melbourne
Sharma's 137 came off 126 balls [Reuters]

Defending champions India eased into the 2015 World Cup semi-finals after thrashing Bangladesh by 109 runs.

India made light work of their clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, outclassing their Asian neighbours to stretch their unbeaten run at the tournament to seven games.

Visit Al Jazeera's 2015 Cricket World Cup page for news, updates, features and comment pieces
Visit Al Jazeera’s 2015 Cricket World Cup page for news, updates, features and comment pieces

India will now play either Australia or Pakistan in the semi-finals in Sydney next week and on current form, they will be hard to beat.

Batting first, India compiled a daunting total of 302 for six, built on the back of a magnificent century from Rohit Sharma, who completed his first World Cup hundred with a slice of luck.

Rohit was caught in the deep when he was on 90 but was given a second life when the umpires ruled that Rubel Hossain’s delivery was above waist-height and therefore a no-ball, although television replays suggested otherwise.

Rohit went on to make 137 off 126 balls, highlighted by 14 boundaries and three sixes, while the left-handed Suresh Raina chipped in a with a quickfire 65 after India had waddled along to 115-3 and needed a lift.

In reply, Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes came out all guns blazing, smacking 31 off the first six overs but when they fell in successive balls in the next over the run-chase was doomed.

India have bowled out their opponents in all seven matches they have played at the World Cup, another ominous warning for their remaining challengers.

Scorecard:

India 302-6 in 50 overs (Rohit 137, Taskin 3-69)

Bangladesh 193 all out in 45 overs (Yadav 4-31)