India vs. UAE: Highlights, Scorecard, Report from Cricket World Cup

India dealt out a World Cup thrashing to the United Arab Emirates, beating the Associate nation by nine wickets in Perth to maintain an unbeaten start in their title defence.

After beating Pakistan and South Africa convincingly in their first two games this was a different challenge, but their bowlers responded after the UAE won the toss and dismissed the minnows for 102 in 31.3 overs.

The chase was a formality, which India completed with 187 balls to spare.

India are on track to top Pool B, with games against West Indies, Ireland and Zimbabwe to come. As for the men they beat, their search for a victory in this tournament sees them next take on Pakistan.

Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
Total	all out (31.3 ovs)	102
Ali	c Dhoni	b B Kumar	4	21	12
Berenger	c Dhoni	b U Yadav	4	6	9
Karate	c Raina	b Ashwin	4	36	27
Khurram Khan	c Raina	b Ashwin	14	51	28
Patil	c Dhawan	b Ashwin	7	16	19
Anwar		b U Yadav	35	62	49
Mustafa	lbw	b M Sharma	2	13	12
Javed	c Raina	b Jadeja	2	6	5
Naveed		b Ashwin	6	3	7
Tauqir		b Jadeja	1	4	5
Guruge	not out		10	22	16
Extras	0nb 9w 0b 4lb	13
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
B Kumar	5.0	0	19	1
U Yadav	6.3	2	15	2
Ashwin	10.0	1	25	4
M Sharma	5.0	1	16	1
Jadeja	5.0	0	23	2

There was little to cling on to in the UAE innings. Just three batsmen reached double figures. The 10th wicket stand of 31 was the innings' highest. It was a long way short of being competitive, and it might have been worse.

Umesh Yadav impressed with two early wickets as reward for his pace and hostility, while the returning Bhuvneshwar Kumar also struck early in a light outing.

Ravi Ashwin's appearance into the attack proved terminal for the UAE's hopes, his 10 overs conceding just 25 runs and accounting for four wickets, taking him up to eight for the tournament.

"

WICKET! Ashwin has 3-7 & #IND fans make some real noise! #INDvUAE https://t.co/nf3inYTOEs

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 28, 2015"

Shaiman Anwar fared the best of the batsmen, adding six boundaries in his innings of 35, but he lacked support, with the best coming from Manjula Guruge at No. 11.

"

UAE's Shaiman Anwar last four ODI inns 51 (53b) v Afg 67 (50b) v Zim 106 (83b) v Ire 35 (49b) v Ind Last three inns in #CWC15 #IndvsUAE

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 28, 2015"

India's chase did not begin rapidly, but they were in control of it.

Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
Ro Sharma	not out		57	119	55
Dhawan	c Mustafa	b Naveed	14	27	17
Kohli	not out		33	90	41
Extras		0
Total	for 1 (18.5 ovs)	104
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Naveed	5.0	0	35	1
Guruge	6.0	1	19	0
Javed	2.0	0	12	0
Karate	3.0	0	17	0
Tauqir	2.5	0	21	0

Shikhar Dhawan stroked three boundaries before he was the victim of a sensational catch from Rohan Mustafa at backward point, grabbing a ball travelling fast with a casual stretch of his right arm.

"

RIDICUCATCH by Rohan Mustafa to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan! #INDvUAE #CWC2015 @AltCricket https://t.co/Sjz1PtLVf1

— clfrd (@cliffordsouza) February 28, 2015"

But the combination of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma upped the pace, the latter dispatching Mohammad Naveed for three boundaries in a single over, the former unfurling glorious, trademark strokes through extra cover.

With 37 overs of the contest remaining, only 37 runs were required. That became just 15 in 34 overs when the dinner break was enforced.

After the intermission there was just enough time for Rohit to complete a half-century before the victory line was crossed, allowing India to turn their focus towards the business end of the competition.