Cricket: Oz knock India out of Champions Trophy

India suffered the ignominy of an early exit from the Champions Trophy after a six-wicket thrashing at the hands of Australia who romped into the semi-finals without much fuss here today.

The Indians managed to score 249 for 8 on a good batting strip with Virender Sehwag (65) and Rahul Dravid (52) being the top scorers but the bowling lacked the sting to stop the awesome Australians from cantering to a facile victory with 4.2 overs to spare in a floodlit conteston the lush greens of Mohali.

It was a painful knock-out punch for the home team who were expected to at least make it to the semi-finals since they were playing at home but the party will now carry on without the hosts.

The world champions had the game in control right through with useful contributions coming from captain Ricky Ponting (58), Shane Watson (50) and Damien Martyn (73 not out) which helped the team to overhaul the target with more than four overs to spare.

The victory ensured that Australia moved into the semi-finals as the champion team from Group 'A' and will now take on New Zealand in the first semi-final here on November 1.

South Africa, who emerged as the champion team in Group 'B', will clash with West Indies in the second semi-final in Jaipur on November 2.

The final is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on November 5.

The Australians, who have never won the Champions Trophy, not only put themselves on course for breaking the jinx but also ensured that India's agonising sequence of flops continied to haunt them.

00 for the loss of 2 wickets after 21.5 overs. Sehwag batting on 54, Dravid on 8. Batsmen dismissed: Tendulkar (10), Mongia (18).