India make light work of flat UAE

Defending World Cup champions India made light work of the United Arab Emirates in Perth on Saturday, winning by nine wickets, to extend their lead at the top of the group B table.

The UAE opted to bat first and were predictably all out for 102, and then Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made quick work of chasing down the runs, despite having to endure a 40-minute dinner break with 15 runs to go.

Winning the toss and batting first always seemed like an odd move from the UAE, given India's prowess at chasing, and they never got going really. India's bowlers were far too good for them, and a wicket fell every 10 runs on average.

Ravi Ashwin was the pick for India, recording his career-best ODI figures of 4/25, while Ravi Jadeja took two wickets. The UAE's one bright light was batsman Shaiman Anwar, who top-scored with 35 to stay inside the top five of the tournament's run scorers.

The chase was blighted only by the loss of Shikhar Dhawan's wicket, out for 14 to Mohammad Naveed. Rohit and Kohli had no troubles after that, with Rohit finally getting a half ton on the board, and Kohli making 33 not out.

India have now won all three of their matches in convincing fashion and sit top of the table with six points, and they have a break until Friday when they will face the West Indies. The UAE face Pakistan on Wednesday.

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