Tendulkar paves the way

Sachin Tendulkar acknowledges the applause for a superb century, his 44th in one-day international cricket

Sachin Tendulkar’s magnificent century and a five-wicket haul for Harbhajan Singh helped India to a 46-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final of the Compaq Cup in Colombo.

Tendulkar struck a masterly 138, while Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh hammered 56 apiece as India amassed a formidable 319 for five.

Sri Lanka openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya made 42 and 36 respectively as Sri Lanka began the chase in earnest – they put on 64 for the first wicket – but Harbhajan severed the partnership and made further inroads as Sri Lanka slipped to 131 for five.

Kumar Sangakkara led a revival with 33, and Thilina Kandamby gave Dhoni's men a scare with a battling 66, but India held their nerve to bowl the hosts out for 273 with 3.3 overs unused.

Tendulkar and Dravid had also shared a profitable opening stand for India, putting on 85, although the latter was dropped twice - at point by Dilshan on 24 and by Nuwan Kulasekara off his own bowling on 27.

Jayasuriya broke the alliance by removing Dravid in his first over, but Dhoni promoted himself up the order and matched Tendulkar stroke for stroke as they flayed Sri Lanka's bowlers around the park.

Dhoni enforced the batting powerplay at the start of the 35th over, and went to his 32nd ODI half-century during an over from Lasith Malinga that cost 12.

However, the captain fell shortly after, mistiming a pull off Malinga to Kandamby at midwicket.

Tendulkar pressed on, reaching his 44th one-day century, off just 92 deliveries, with a single into the off side off Ajantha Mendis.

He put on 71 for the third wicket with Yuvraj, but fell leg before to Mendis attempting to reverse-sweep. His innings spanned 133 balls and contained 10 fours and a six.

Yuvraj saw India past 300 and went to a 39-ball fifty moments later as the tourists finished with a flourish.

Dilshan kick-started Sri Lanka’s reply with successive boundaries off Ishant Sharma, who leaked runs alongside Ashish Nehra and prompted Dhoni to call on Harbhajan into the attack during the powerplay.

Harbhajan Singh removes Tillakaratne Dilshan for 42, breaking Sri Lanka's opening stand and setting India on their way to victory

The off-spinner struck immediately, bowling Dilshan with a delivery that deviated little, and removed Mahela Jayawardene in his next over.

Part-time off-spinner Yusuf Pathan accounted for Jayasuriya in his first over - the 11th of the innings - to leave Sri Lanka struggling on 85 for three.

Thilan Thushara, promoted up the order, managed just 15 before falling to Sharma, and Yuvraj removed Angelo Mathews cheaply.

Sangakkara and Kandamby renewed Sri Lanka’s chase with vigour and had put on 51 for the sixth wicket when the captain was bizarrely dismissed hit wicket.

Sangakkara defended a full toss from RP Singh on the front foot, but the bat slipped from his grasp, flew over his right shoulder and crashed on to the stumps.

Kandamby continued the fightback with a second successive half-century, with help from Chamara Kapugedera, who contributed 35.

Their 70-run stand for the seventh wicket threatened to swing the match Sri Lanka's way, but Suresh Raina separated them by having Kapugedera caught behind.

Kandamby was bowled making room to Harbhajan, who wrapped up the innings with the wickets of Malinga and Mendis to finish with 5-56.

Dhoni said: "It feels good to win the series and it's very special for us because it comes after a long time here.

“But we have got to learn from our mistakes and there were too many made on the field today.

"We just didn't field well as a team. But thanks to some solid performances from a few of the players we ended up on the winning side.”

Sri Lanka skipper Sangakkara added: “As batsmen, we have to take more responsibility chasing totals, especially when you are never in form too often.

"And when you are in form you really need to maximise opportunities. We were in the hunt until the 42nd over.”