Gambhir mauls the tigers

India home by 46 runs

Gambhir hits a shot on his way to scoring 101 runs during the second One Day International (ODI) match against Bangladesh in Dhaka, yesterday. AFP

Gautham Gambhir hit his second one-day century as India won their series in Bangladesh with a game to spare. The left-handed opener made 101 off 113 balls, including 11 fours, as they totalled 284-8 from 49 overs in Dhaka.

The tourists then restricted Bangladesh to 238-9 in reply, with 18-year-old leg-spinner Piyush Chawla taking 3-38.

Mashrafe Mortaza hit four successive sixes off Dinesh Mongia in his 42 off 22 balls but it was not enough as India wrapped up a 46-run victory. Both sides made one change with Bangladesh recalling pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza and India giving Chawla his one-day debut in place of Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

Gambhir and Virender Sehwag put on 43 from the first seven overs after Rahul Dravid won the toss before Sehwag (21) hit Syed Rasel to a diving Javed Omar at mid-off. Mahendra Dhoni was promoted up the order after his match-winning 91 not out in the opening game of the best of three series and batted responsibly to help Gambhir add 87 for the second wicket.

Dhoni made 36 before edging to the keeper off Mohammad Rafique, who claimed his second success by taking a return catch to remove the dangerous Yuvraj Singh for 24. But Gambhir continued to use his feet superbly to combat the spinners and his placement was equally good as he reached three figures off 111 balls, his first limited overs century since making 103 against Sri Lanka in 2005.