Advertisement

India beat rivals Pakistan in most watched cricket match of all time

India began their Cricket World Cup title defence with a comfortable victory over fierce rivals Pakistan in Adelaide.

India batsman Virat Kohli celebrates his century against Pakistan. Credit: DAVID MARIUZ/AAP/Press Association

The 2011 winners, who have now triumphed in all six of their World Cup encounters against Pakistan, were indebted to Virat Kohli's century and fifties from Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina as India made 300 for seven from their 50 overs despite Sohail Khan's five for 55.

Pakistan made a solid start in reply but were the architects of their own downfall as they slipped from 102 for two to 224 all out. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq scored a well-crafted half-century, but it counted for nothing.

The contest was billed as the most watched cricket match in history, with an estimated TV audience of one billion tuning in.