Gambhir takes India home

GLASGOW: Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa notched up half-centuries as India beat Scotland by seven wickets in the rain-reduced Royal Stag one-dayer here on Thursday.

Chasing the revised target of 209, Gambhir remained unbeaten on 85, while Uthappa scored 55 as India reached to the finishing line in 39.5 overs and warmed up for the bigger challenge of facing England in the seven-match ODI series.

Yuvraj Singh exhibited an array of strikes while playing a cameo of 38 runs in 28 balls. Put in to bat, Scotland scored 203 runs losing nine wickets in 46 overs in the rain-curtailed match with Gavin Hamilton and Neil McCallum putting up a solid 82-run fifth wicket stand after being reduced to 49 for four.

Munaf Patel, who missed the Ireland one-dayers and England Tests with an injury, picked up 2-37 with a changed action from a shortened run up. Rudra Pratap Singh continued with his good form of the Test series to claim 2-26 while Ajit Agarkar and Piyush Chawla also grabbed two wickets each.

The Indian openers put on a solid foundation of 104 runs in 20 overs and thwarted some good bowling from the hosts. Uthappa played his usual self as he hit eight boundaries and one six in his 62-ball stay.