London: India beat New Zealand in the opening warm-up game of the Champions Trophy by 45 runs via Duckworth-Lewis method here Sunday.
The defending champions scored 129 for three in 26 overs in pursuit of 190 when rain stopped play. India needed to score 84 after 26 overs and were way ahead of the target.
Skipper Virat Kohli (52 batting, 55b, 6×4) looked in good form having already reached an unbeaten half century in company of former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (17 batting, 21b, 2×4, 1×6).
Opener Shikhar Dhawan (40, 59b, 5×4) also got some much needed batting practice while Ajinkya Rahane (7) and Dinesh Karthik (0) couldn’t make much use of the opportunity.
Earlier India bundled out New Zealand for a meagre 189 hitting the ground running straightaway at the Oval. Opting to bat after the coin landed in his favour, Kane Williamson’s side struggled to counter India’s disciplined bowling effort led by the pace duo of Mohammed Shami (3/47) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/28). Luke Ronchi (66, 63b, 6×4, 2×6) top-scored for New Zealand.
Brief scores: New Zealand 189 in 38.4 overs(Luke Ronchi 66, James Neesham 46 n o; Mohammed Shami 3/47, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/28) lost to India 129/3 in 26 overs (Virat Kohli 52 n o, Shikhar Dhawan 40) by 45 runs (D/L method).
Press Trust of India