COLOMBO // Sachin Tendulkar hit a superb 138, his 44th one-day international hundred, to power India to 319 for five in the Tri-series final against Sri Lanka on Monday. India opened the batting with Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid after winning the toss and the experienced pair set a good platform with a stand of 95. Dravid made 39 before offering a catch off Sanath Jayasuriya. Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, promoting himself up the order, then played second fiddle to Tendulkar in a second-wicket stand that raised 110 off 115 balls. Dhoni fell to Lasith Malinga for 56.
Yuvraj Singh continued the momentum with Tendulkar adding a further 71 for the third wicket before Tendulkar, handicapped by a thigh strain and with the assistance of a runner, finally fell. He scored two successive boundaries by reverse sweeping Ajantha Mendis but attempting a third was ruled out lbw. Sri Lanka snapped up the wickets of Yusuf Pathan for nought and Suresh Raina for eight before Yuvraj, in a final flourish, completed his 41st one-day fifty to give India a formidable target.
Sri Lanka's bowlers did not help their cause, spraying 18 wides. * Reuters
