Virat Kohli bowls for first time in six years after Pandya blow

India superstar Virat Kohli bowled in a One-Day International (ODI) for the first time in six years after all-rounder Hardik Pandya limped off midway through an over in Thursday's World Cup match against Bangladesh.

Bowling gentle medium pace, Kohli conceded just two runs, a fine return given Bangladesh's openers were starting to up the tempo after stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, leading the team in place of the injured Shakib Al Hasan, won the toss.

It was the first time Kohli had bowled at this level since a 2017 return of 0-12 in two overs against Sri Lanka in Colombo — a match where he scored 131 in a crushing 168-run win. But there was not much Kohli could do as Bangladesh advanced to 63 without loss off the opening 10 overs.

Kohli also struck his third fifty in four World Cup innings when he reached the landmark against Bangladesh in Pune. Kohli's latest ODI half-century came off 48 balls, including four fours and a six, with tournament hosts India on course to make it four wins out of four at 171-2 off 27 overs chasing a target of 257.

Later Kohli scored his 48th ODI hundred to help India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets for its fourth straight win at the Cricket World Cup.

Kohli finished with 103 not out off 97 balls as India finished with 261-3 (41.3 overs) in reply to Bangladesh’s sub-par 256-8 (50 overs). He had some help at the other end from Lokesh Rahul.

Pandya had just been hit for consecutive boundaries by Liton Das when he appeared to twist his ankle just three balls into his stint as first change in the ninth over.

Following prolonged on-field treatment, Pandya tried running into bowl. But clearly still in pain, he could only hobble towards the crease and eventually limped off the field, with key batsman Kohli completing the over to huge cheers as India fans savoured the rare sight of their hero bowling.

Agence France-Presse