IndiaPost.com - India beat Scotland by seven wickets

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

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. Gambhir (85,115b,8x4,1x6) shared a big opening stand with Uthappa (55,62b,8x4,1x6), putting on 104 runs in just 20.2 overs to put his team on course.

They were careful at the start of the innings as they struggled to get their bearings. But once they had a feel of the conditions they had a blast matching each other stroke for stroke. Uthappa repeatedly drove through the line to send the ball crashing to the bill boards.

He wasn't afraid to take the aerial route either against opening bowlers Blain and Hoffman. However. The only six he hit--came off Dewald Nel. After Uthappa's stumps were rattled by Craig Wright, Gambhir continued to anchor the innings wonderfully well.

He played the cut and the pull with relish. Dinesh Karthik was an early casualty, falling to off spinner, Majid Haq before Yuvraj Singh lit up a murky day with his dazzling strokes. Yuvraj (38,28b) did well to get rid of the rust that may have set in as he warmed the benches during the Test series.

Five fours and a towering six from the left-hander in a free flowing innings was enough evidence of his form.