Rohit is the ‘best one-day player’: Kohli

Birmingham, July 3 (IANS) India skipper Virat Kohli was all praise for Rohit Sharma who scored a brilliant century against Bangladesh and termed him as the "best one-day player".

On Tuesday, Sharma (104) scored his fourth century of the ongoing World Cup, thus helping India post 314/9 which they successfully defended at Edgbaston.

The Indian vice-captain became only the second batsman after Kumar Sangakkara to hit four hundreds in a single World Cup and in the process became the leading run-scorer in this edition of the tournament.

Rohit unfurled a flurry of strokes and played with a lot of freedom while sharing a 180-run opening partnership with K.L. Rahul. During his 32-ball inning, Rohit hit five huge sixes and seven boundaries.

"I have been watching it for years now, I have been saying it publicly, in my opinion Rohit is the best one-day player. When he plays, we are heading towards a big score and really happy with the way he's playing," said Kohli at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"When he plays well we know we are heading for a big score. He gives everyone confidence to go out and bat," he added.

He also praised the Bangla Tigers for putting up a great fight and said: "Bangladesh played some really good cricket and deserve credit for the fight they put up. We had to work hard for the win and we are happy to see a 'Q' (qualified) in front of our name now."

India, who have secured their berth in the semifinals, will now face Sri Lanka in their last group stage game at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday. "Another game as an opportunity for us to do the same things we have done so far in the tournament, and I think that will keep us in the frame of mind heading towards the semi-final," said the Indian skipper.