India defeated UAE by nine wickets in their Pool B match of the World Cup in Perth.
Opting to bat, UAE were all out for 102 in 31.3 overs and then India chased down the 103-run target, scoring 104 for one in 18.5 overs.
The defending champions virtually assured themselves of a quarter-final berth after spanking minnows, recording their third successive win with yet another flawless display.
The Indian bowlers, led by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (4/25), bundled out UAE for a paltry total and the batsmen made short work of the target in what was a completely lop-sided contest.
Opting to bat at the WACA, the UAE batsmen couldn't replicate their spirited performance of the two previous games. Their total was the lowest team total against India in World Cup.
Ashwin, with splendid career-best figures of 4/25 in 6.3 overs (his first four-wicket haul), was the pick of the bowlers, and he also got good support from Umesh Yadav (2/15), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/19), Mohit Sharma (1/16) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/23).
The match virtually turned into a no show within the first 20 overs when the UAE were reduced to 54 for six.
Shaiman Anwar (35 not out, 6x4), UAE's man in form, tried his bit but there wasn't any support from the other end. It was Anwar, whose plucky shots got his team's total past 100-run mark.
Shikhar Dhawan (14) started off well with three sweetly-timed boundaries before Rohan Mustafa at gully pulled off a one-handed stunner to send him back, Mohammed Naveed picking up the wicket.
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Rohit Sharma hit a fluent unbeaten 57 (off 55 deliveries, 10x4, 1x6) to notch up a significant score before the West Indies game. He also added 75 runs (in 12.2 overs) for the unbroken second wicket with Virat Kohli (33 not out).
The winning boundary was hit by Rohit and the celebrations were predictably muted as the win against UAE was taken for granted.
With three wins from as many matches, India maintained their grip on the top spot in the league table, with six points. With three matches against West
Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland left, Dhoni and his boys are well on course of topping the group.
