Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik contributed eye-catching centuries as India defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in a high-scoring Champions Trophy warm-up fixture at Edgbaston.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side were on the back foot for much of the game and looked set for defeat when, responding to an imposing total of 333 for three, they slipped to 110 for four in the 21st over.
However, Kohli and Karthik then shared 186 for the fifth wicket prior to the former’s departure for a terrific, 120-ball 144.
Karthik remained to finish the job with an over to spare in the company of his skipper and finished with 106 not out from 81 deliveries.
However, it should be noted that - in a match where both sides were permitted to utilise up to 15 players - Sri Lanka had earlier allowed openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kusal Perera to retire out on 84 and 82 respectively, in order to allow other batsmen a decent stay at the crease.
Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal and Thisara Perera all chipped in with handy cameos to boost the Sri Lankan total.
India, who had elected to field, then saw three of their top four fall cheaply and Raina dismissed for a brisk 34, only for Kohli and Karthik to seize control in impressive fashion.
In the day’s other warm-up game at Cardiff Wales Stadium, Shane Watson was chiefly responsible for Australia’s four-wicket triumph against West Indies, which was completed with more than 11 overs unused.
Mitchell Starc and Clint McKay returned 4-29 and 3-45 respectively as the Windies were limited to 256 for nine after winning the toss, despite Darren Bravo’s 86 and a half-century from Johnson Charles.
Kemar Roach ousted David Warner and Phil Hughes for ducks in the second over of Australia’s reply, yet that failed to unsettle a dominant Watson, who went on to crack 135 from 98 balls.
By the time the opener departed at the end of the 31st over, Australia needed just 60 for victory and they were duly hurried home as Mitchell Marsh thumped eight fours en route to an unbeaten 39 that spanned just 19 deliveries.