<p>India kick-started their Champions Trophy title defence with a 124-run drubbing of arch-rivals Pakistan via the Duckworth/Lewis method in a rain-hit game here at Edgbaston on Sunday.<br /><br />Put into bat, India’s collective batting effort saw them amass 319 for three after the match was reduced to 48 overs a side.<br /><br />Set a revised target of 324 in 48 overs, which later became 289 in 41 following a third rain interruption, Pakistan were bundled out for 164 in 33.4 overs.<br /><br />Openers Rohit Sharma (91) and Shikhar Dhawan (68) put on a 136-run stand before brilliant knocks from skipper Virat Kohli (81 n.o.) and Yuvraj Singh (53) took India to a commanding total. <br /><br />While Kohli shrugged off his poor form, Yuvraj was at his vintage best, slamming eight fours and one six in his 32-ball knock. <br /><br />The Indian bowlers then produced a disciplined effort to seal a thumping victory. Umesh Yadav was the pick of the lot, returning figures of three for 30. <br /><br />All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja (2/43) and Hardik Pandya (2/43) struck in the middle overs to keep India in control. <br />India next take on Sri Lanka at The Oval on June 8.<br />DH News Service<br /><br /></p>
<p>India kick-started their Champions Trophy title defence with a 124-run drubbing of arch-rivals Pakistan via the Duckworth/Lewis method in a rain-hit game here at Edgbaston on Sunday.<br /><br />Put into bat, India’s collective batting effort saw them amass 319 for three after the match was reduced to 48 overs a side.<br /><br />Set a revised target of 324 in 48 overs, which later became 289 in 41 following a third rain interruption, Pakistan were bundled out for 164 in 33.4 overs.<br /><br />Openers Rohit Sharma (91) and Shikhar Dhawan (68) put on a 136-run stand before brilliant knocks from skipper Virat Kohli (81 n.o.) and Yuvraj Singh (53) took India to a commanding total. <br /><br />While Kohli shrugged off his poor form, Yuvraj was at his vintage best, slamming eight fours and one six in his 32-ball knock. <br /><br />The Indian bowlers then produced a disciplined effort to seal a thumping victory. Umesh Yadav was the pick of the lot, returning figures of three for 30. <br /><br />All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja (2/43) and Hardik Pandya (2/43) struck in the middle overs to keep India in control. <br />India next take on Sri Lanka at The Oval on June 8.<br />DH News Service<br /><br /></p>
