Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu were the difference as the Indians eased to a 95-run victory over Middlesex at Lord’s ahead of the one-day series against England next week.
Captain for the day Kohli and Rayudu were the only bright sparks with the bat, making 71 and 72 respectively, although the loss of four wickets in as many overs to off-spinner Ollie Rayner saw the tourists slump to 230 all out after just 44.2 overs.
Any thoughts that the hosts could spring an upset were soon dashed as the Indians put on a fine bowling display, led by leg spinner Karn Sharma with three for 14, as Middlesex collapsed to 135 all out inside 40 overs.
After India lost three wickets for 52 runs, Kohli and Rayudu showed some class to steady the ship in a fourth-wicket stand worth 104.
That ended when Kohli fell to Ravi Patel in the 30th over and Rayudu eventually retired out with India on 211 for six, with Ravindra Jadeja dismissed in between. Rayner ended up with figures of 4-32,
Middlesex’s chase got off to a disastrous start as Nick Gubbins and captain Dawid Malan both fell inside four overs to leave them on 11 for two.
The Indians bowlers were in a miserly mood and they were happy to share the wickets out as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni and Ravi Ashwin all took one each to put Middlesex in trouble.