Images: Sehwag gets World Cup off to blazing start

Expecting dew later in the evening, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to field in the opening match of the World Cup in Dhaka on Saturday. But the decision backfired big time as India amassed a huge 370 for four before restricting the hosts to 283 for nine and register a convincing 87-run victory in the Group B encounter.

India were also ready for the worst case scenario as they included an extra pacer in place of leg spinner Piyush Chawla, who had excelled with the ball in the two warm-up matches leading up to the tournament.

Zaheer Khan was back to lead the Indian pace attack that included Munaf Patel and S Sreesanth. Suresh Raina, Ashish Nehra and R Ashwin missed out.

Photographs: Getty Images

Bangladesh cricket fans were hoping for another good showing by their team and repeat their shock victory over India in the last tournament.

India were keen to avenge the defeat that led to their eventual departure at the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean at the opening group stage.

And what transpired after that left the fans at the Shere-e-Bangla National Stadium as the Indians showed their might with the bat.

Sachin Tendulkar added another record to his name when he became the most capped ODI player in the world. He he overtook Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya, who is not playing in this World Cup, with his 445th match.

Tendulkar gave India a good start as he hit a brisk 28 from 29 balls before he was run out following a mix-up with Sehwag.

The duo gave their team the perfect start as they put on 69 runs in 65 balls for the opening wicket.

Virender Sehwag seemed keen to make up for his role in Tendulkar's dismissal by staying at the wicket and playing a big innings.

He ditched his usual attacking approach and looked to bat with a more sensible approach but still scored at a quick rate.

Before the start of the tournament, Sehwag had made it clear that he was desperate to settle scores with Bangladesh.

"We know... we lost against them and we have been waiting for the moment when we will play against them in this World Cup," Sehwag had said.

The right-hander brought up his half-century in some style off just 45 balls when he stepped down the wicket and lofted left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak straight back over his head for a huge six.

Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag consolidated the good start with a steady partnership in the middle overs.

Gambhir looked to rotate the strike as he hit a brisk 39 off as many deliveries, with the help of three boundaries.

The left-hander was bowled by Mahmudullah as he looked to play across the line, after he added 83 runs in 75 balls for the second wicket with Sehwag.

There was no stopping Sehwag as he ignored an injury to smash 175 off just 140 balls. The right-hander hit 14 fours and five sixes to post his highest score in ODIs and his 14th century overall.

Sehwag had clearly struggled between the wicket and after he passed three figures he was given a runner, Gautam Gambhir.

The right-hander was eying the second ever ODI double century after Tendulkar's 200 not out against South Africa last February before he dragged a fullish delivery off Shakib on to his stumps, in the 48th over.

Virat Kohli also made it a memorable day as he stroked a century in his first ever World Cup match.

The Delhi youngster showed great composure to stroke 100 not out off 83 balls, adding 203 runs in 145 balls for the third wicket with Sehwag, to help India post a mammoth 370 for four in their 50 overs.

Openers Imrul Kayes and Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh a flying start.

The left-handed duo went on the attack against the Indian pacers, adding 56 runs in 41 balls for the opening wicket.

Kayes was the first wicket to fall when he inside edged Munaf Patel back on to his stumps to be bowled after a quick 34 from 29 balls.

Tamim didn't get going at the start but battled hard for a steady innings of 70.

He became Munaf's second wicket when he hit one straight to Yuvraj Singh at midwicket after adding 73 runs for the second wicket with Junaid Siddique and 59 for the third wicket with captain Shakib.

Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were never really in the hunt with the bat.

Captain Shakib made a valiant effort as he stroked a brisk 55 from 50 balls against the Indian spinners struggling with the dew.

The lower order failed to contribute much with the bat as Bangladesh finished on 283 for nine in their 50 overs to lose by 87 runs.