At Gauhati, December 22. India won by seven wickets. Toss: India. International debut: S. V. Bahutule.

The two teams resumed combat after a fortnight's break, in which India had visited Sharjah and lost all their three matches in the Champions Trophy. They bounced back here, winning with five overs to spare even after two were trimmed from their allocation because of a slow over-rate. Play had begun 45 minutes late because of mist, and conditions suited the Indian attack. Mohanty collected three early wickets while Srinath tied up the other end. Mahanama batted bravely for 165 minutes, but became one of five victims for Robin Singh. India needed only four an over. Despite the openers going cheaply, Tendulkar settled the issue with 82 in 86 balls; he passed 1,000 one-day international runs in 1997, to go with his 1,000 Test runs.

Man of the Match: R. R. Singh.

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