Ojha has Bangla in a spin

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha spun a web around the Bangladeshi batsmen to get India off to a flying start in the Twenty20 World Cup at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.

Pressed into the attack when the opposition batsmen were scoring at a fast clip and threatening to tear into the Indian bowlers, the Deccan Chargers spinner scalped four wickets to derail the Bangla innings and script an authoritative win in the Group A match.

Chasing India’s 180, Bangladesh could manage 155 for 8. Ojha took 4 for 21 in his four overs to emerge the most economical bowler.

Yuvraj Singh’s stunning catches to dismiss Mohammadullah Riad and Naeem Islam were the other highlights of the innings even as he dropped a sitter too.

Earlier, a top class show by the top order propelled the defending champions. After captain Dhoni elected to bat, Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma provided India with a superb start, which was cashed upon by Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26) and Yuvraj Singh (41).

While Rohit rocketed to 36 in 23 balls, three of which he despatched to the boundary and two over it, Gambhir capitalised on a dropped chance while on 13 to hit a steady 50 that anchored the innings.

Then, Yuvraj came out all guns blazing. He smashed three boundaries and four sixes – three in the 17th over bowled by left-arm spinner Naeem Islam – to set the scoreboard galloping towards the end.

Yuvraj’s other six came against seamer Rubel Hossain, who was sent over long-on for his fourth six, which was followed by two consecutive boundaries.

The innings began smoothly as Gambhir tapped Mashrafe Motaza through the cover for a boundary second ball of the innings. Rohit too creamed the Bangla spearhead through the cover for a boundary as India picked up 11 runs in the first over.

However, Mortaza came back strongly in his next over, conceding only three as he scuttled the aggressive intentions of the Indian openers.Shahadat Hossain was brought into the attack in the fourth over and almost struck with his first delivery. Gambhir slashed hard but a diving Raqibul Hossain could not hold on to the half-chance at backward point.

Rohit then lifted Shahadat Hossain into the stands behind square leg for the first six of the match and then cut the same bowler through point for another scorching boundary.

Rohit smashed Rubel for another six and a four as India reached an impressive 54 for no loss after the power play of six overs.