And the Royal Challengers' run-chase never got off the ground, some good bowling and early wickets leaving them hopelessly off the pace, eventually capitulating to 82.

Opener McCullum was quickly into stride and despite losing Saurav Ganguly for 10 and Ricky Ponting for 20, continued on his merry way.

The century came from just 58 balls and prompted some even lustier hitting as the Kiwi wicket-keeper lofted 13 sixes into the packed stands.

He lost David Hussey for a run-a-ball 12 but Mohammad Hafeez had time to hit a boundary from one of three balls he faced to set the hosts a huge total.

But in what proved a big anti-climax, only tail-ender Praveen Kumar (18 not out) reached double figures as one of the weaker batting line-ups in the competition failed to fire.

Rahul Dravid, better suited to the five-day game, made two while Kallis - another notoriously slow starter - hit a six before becoming one of three wickets to fall to India paceman Agit Agarkar.

Inexperienced Ashok Dinda claimed 2-9, India's Ishant Sharma took 1-7 from three overs and Ganguly chipped in with two wickets as the Royal Challengers sunk without trace.