India got off to a rousing start as Ashish Nehra sent the dangerous Shane Watson back to the pavilion in his second over.

Watson went for a pull only to baloon the ball to waiting Harbhajan Singh at midwicket. The Aussie batsman didn't bother to trouble the scorers.

With just three on the board, Tim Paine was joined by in-form Ricky Ponting. The pair steadied the innings and took the total beyond the 50-run mark.

Amit Mishra, playing his first Champions Trophy, provided the vital breakthrough for India when he scalped Tim Paine.

Paine was looking ominous for more with a well-compiled 56 off 58 balls, but the right-hander went for a paddle sweep, only to top-edge it to Harbhajan Singh at midwicket.

Paine and Ponting shared vital 84-runs for the third wicket.

Mike Hussey, who was struggling for form, built on the platform, and together with Ponting started hitting the Indian bowlers to all corners of the park.

The Australians were particularly severe on out-of-sorts Ishant Sharma, who once again leaked runs after Nehra and Praveen Kumar managed to keep them under control.

The Indians got a lucky breakthrough when Gautam Gambhir ran Ponting out.

Hussey hit one through the covers and called for two immediately. 

However, there was a slight hesitation and that was enough for Gambhir to pick up the ball and hit the stumps directly.

The players were forced to rush off the field with the scoreboard reading 234 for four after 42.3 overs as heavy rain lashed the stadium.

Flashes of lightning were accompanied by heavy rain and the covers were brought on.

Cameron White was unbeaten on 35 from 30 deliveries, while Calum Ferguson was not out on 2.

No play was possible later and both teams got a point each.