India recovered from 115-3 to post 302-6 off their 50 overs, with opener Sharma notching 137 from 126 balls.

In reply, Bangladesh slumped to 193 all out in 45 overs sending the holders through to a last four encounter against either Australia or Pakistan in Sydney on March 26.

The win for India extends their World Cup winning streak to 11, dating back to their triumph on home turf four years ago, and brings up their 100th one-day international victory under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.

India made a slow start after winning the toss and found themselves 79-2, following the dismissal of Shikhar Dhawan, stumped off Shakib Al Hasan, and Virat Kohli, caught behind from Rubel Hossain.

Ajinkya Rahane miscued Taskin Ahmed to mid-off for the third wicket, before Sharma and Suresh Raina stepped up the run rate with a stand of 122 in 15.5 overs.

Sharma was fortunate to survive being caught on the leg-side boundary when on 90, with Hossain's full toss wrongly deemed a no-ball for being too high.

He went on to reach 100 off 108 balls, including 10 fours and a six, before he was yorked by Ahmed with three overs remaining.

Rohit Sharma's maiden World Cup century played a key part in India's win ©Getty Images






History was not on Bangladesh's side as they took their turn to bat, with no side ever managing to chase down 300 to win a one-day international at the MCG.

After Tamim Iqbal edged Umesh Yadav, and Imrul Kayes was run out in a mix-up with Soumya Sarkar, it didn't look as though that statistic was going to change.

Bangladesh continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and even Mahmudullah, who scored centuries against England and New Zealand, could only muster 29 as Dhawan produced a superb juggled catch on the fine-leg boundary.

The seventh-wicket partnership of Nasir Hossain and Sabbir Rahman, 50 off 48 balls, merely delayed India's inevitable victory which was confirmed with five overs remaining.

Tomorrow's match is due to see co-hosts Australia playing Pakistan in the third quarter-final in Adelaide. 

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