India’s warm-up game he Champions Trophy against New Zealand was curtailed by rain with victory awarded to India by 45 runs on Duckworth-Lewis method.
India could count on some positives, though, as the bowlers got a decent workout in skittling out New Zealand for 189 in 38.4 overs at The Oval, London, ahead of the 50-over event that is also referred to as the mini World Cup.
Mohammed Shami, returning to the side, and was a bit expensive but picked up three wickets in eight overs along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-28) after New Zealand elected to bat first against the defending champions.
Another gain for India was captain Virat Kohli finding form with a half-century after a dismal stretch with the bat in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.
The captain was unbeaten on 52 with the help of six boundaries when rains arrived.
MS Dhoni also looked in good and opener Shikhar Dhawan chipped in with a knock of 40.
India were 129-3 in 26 overs, well ahead of the required target of 84 at that stage as per the D/L method calculations, when rains played the spoilsport.
Earlier, Shami found extra bounce to surprise dangerous opener Martin Guptill.
He then had the captain Kane Williamson caught at slip before inducing an edge from Neil Broom.
Luke Ronchi top-scored with 66 from 63 balls but the rest of the batting order could not find a solid reply against the swing and pace of Shami and Bhuvneshwar.
* Agencies
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