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Virat Kohli scored an imperious century as India opened their World Cup defence in convincing fashion with a 76-run victory over Pakistan in a frenzied atmosphere at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. (Full Coverage| Venues | Fixtures)

Scorecard: India vs Pakistan

The much-anticipated Pool B grudge match, the latest chapter in one of the great rivalries in sport, attracted a passionate crowd of 41,587 to the revamped ground with up to a billion more tuning in on the sub-continent and around the world.

It was the two thirds of the crowd dressed in the blue of India who had most to cheer, though, as Kohli brushed aside concerns over his recent one-day form with a knock of 107 to drive his side to an imposing tally of 300 for seven.

Pakistan started their reply steadily before a three-wicket blitz in two overs at the halfway mark of the innings saw opener Ahmed Shehzad depart for 47 and reduced them to 103 for five.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (76) and Shahid Afridi flirted with a match-changing partnership but once the latter departed for 22 and Wahab Riaz followed in the same over, Pakistan’s hopes of a first win over India in six World Cup attempts was gone.

Indian seamer Mohammed Shami took four for 35 but it was Mohit Sharma who drove the final nail into the coffin when Sohail Khan holed out for seven to end the Pakistan innings at 224 all out.

Kohli’s century was the first by an Indian in those six World Cup encounters and took his impressive tally to 22 in one-day internationals, joint fourth on the all-time list with his former skipper Sourav Ganguly.

Dropped from a difficult chance by Yasir Shah off Afridi on seven and again by wicketkeeper Umar Akmal on 76, Kohli otherwise played well within himself and gave few chances in his 126 balls at the crease.

The 26-year-old put together a dominant partnership of 129 with Shikhar Dhawan (73) and, once the opener had been run out, another of 110 with Suresh Raina (74), whose innings was as aggressive as Dhawan’s had been considered.

Kohli reached his hundred with a single to long on, whipping off his helmet to celebrate his fourth century in five one-day and test matches at the Adelaide Oval.

Sohail Khan took 5-55 in his first one-dayer since 2011, removing both Kohli and Raina as well as India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as three Indian batsmen were sent back in the last couple of overs.

That gave Pakistan some momentum but they lost it completely when Shehzad, Sohaib Maqsood (0) and Akmal (0) were dismissed in two overs.

Misbah played the captain’s role in his 84-ball 76, which included nine fours and a six, but the 40-year-old’s quest for a maiden one-day century will go on to his 157th match.

Twitterati congratulate Team India

By: Express News Service

Posted: February 15, 2015 6:21 pm | Updated: February 15, 2015 6:23 pm

People celebrate India’s win against Pakistan at the ICC Cricket World Cup on Sunday in Ranchi. (Source: PTI)

It was indeed a big win as India defeated its arch-rivals Pakistan in Adelaide on Sunday. Such was the occasion that almost a Billion tuned into the match across the world. Soon after the game, Prime Minister Modi joined the others to congratulate the victorious team. (Full Coverage| Venues | Fixtures)

Here’s what they said:

1. Narendra Modi

2. Rajyawardhan Rathore

3. Mohandas Menon

4.Ajit Agarkar

5.Yuvraj Singh

6.Glenn Mcgrath

7.VVS Laxman

TAGS: india, Pakistan

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India vs Pakistan, World Cup 2015: Narendra Modi, Twitterati congratulate Team India

It was indeed a big win as India defeated its arch-rivals Pakistan in Adelaide on Sunday. Such was the occasion that almost a Billion tuned into the match across the world. Soon after the game, Prime Minister Modi joined the others to congratulate the victorious team

1. Narendra Modi

Congrats Team India. Well played. We are all very proud of you.

2. Rajyawardhan Rathore

Congratulations to Team India for winning #IndvsPak match. All the best for coming matches.

3. Mohandas Menon

Finally a win for India in an official intl in 3 months - last beat Sri Lanka by 3 wkts on 16-11-2014 in the Ranchi ODI #IndvsPak #CWC15

4.Ajit Agarkar

Thumping win by India to extend the record to 6-0 #IndvPak #cwc15.great start to the campaign #IndvsPak #CWC15

5.Yuvraj Singh

Well done boys ! @imVkohli bigger the occasion bigger the performance ! Happy for Jatt ji @SDhawan25

6.Glenn Mcgrath-

Indian supporters are happy tonight. I can hear them partying in the streets of Adelaide. #CWC15

7.VVS Laxman

Congrats Team India.Clinical performance.Good to see the way the bowlers bowled today. Lots of positives #INDvPAK #CWC2015