Yuvraj Singh struck a rollicking unbeaten 95 as India provided the finaltouches to their World Cup preparation by recording an emphatic seven-wicketvictory over Sri Lanka in the fourth and final one-dayer to clinch the serieswith a 2-1 margin.
After restricting the visitors to 259 for seven built around Chamara Silva'smaiden century, the Indians relied on a record unbroken 145-run fourth-wicketpartnership between Yuvraj and Sourav Ganguly (58 not out) to overhaul thetarget with as many as six overs to spare.
Yuvraj, who was laid low by a knee injury for nearly three months, proved hisfitness and form beyond doubt by unleashing an array of breathtaking shotsduring his 83-ball knock while Ganguly maintained his sequence of impressivescores which helped the hosts surpass the Lankan total without much fuss on agood batting strip.
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Young Robin Uthappa set the tempo for the run chase by blazing his way to a37-ball 52 and Virender Sehwag also showed signs of returning to form with 46before he threw away his wicket with some casual running between the wicket.
The series triumph will serve as a morale booster for the Indians beforegoing into the March-April mega event in the Caribbean where they are clubbedwith the Sri Lankans in the same group in the preliminary stage.
Put into bat after a delayed start due to a wet outfield, the Sri Lankansrecovered from a top order collapse to post a competitive 259 for seven in 47overs with Silva doing the bulk of the scoring with a heroic unbeaten 107.
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The Indians had a solid start to their chase despite Ganguly retiring withcramps in the very first over of the innings.
Sehwag seemed to finally rediscover his touch until he got himself run out ina criminal manner.
Sehwag received some help from the Lankan bowlers who fed him withshort-pitched stuff with enough width, and he creamed them with shots all roundthe park.
Uthappa at number three was at his belligerent best and played a crucial inlaying the foundation for the side before falling to Farvez Maharoof.
Dinesh Kaarthick, coming in for the injured Sachin Tendulkar, did not lastlong and that brought Ganguly back to the crease.
Sehwag cut Lasith Malinga to third man and took a casual stroll half-waythrough his run. Worse still, he forgot the basic requirement of completing hisrun and started a mock batting practice at the non-striker's end.
Wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara was alert to spot Sehwag's carelessness and hadall the time in the world to take the glove off one hand and aim a direct hit atthe stumps.
Yuvraj joined Ganguly in the middle and what began was a fruitful associationwhich saw the two southpaws complement each other with their range of shots.
The Punjab batsman slammed 11 fours and three sixes to stamp his class whileGanguly batted sensibly, farming the strike well while latching on toopportunities to play his favourite shots against the spinners.
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Earlier, Sri Lanka rode on a maiden hundred by Silva to recover from anothertop order slump and post a challenging total.
Twenty-seven-year-old Silva justified his inclusion in place of Upul Tharangaby hitting a run-a-ball 107 not out that helped the tourists overcome afaltering batting performance on a benign track.
Silva, playing in his 14th ODI, authored two vital partnerships, first a68-run stand with Tillekaratne Dilshan (28) and then a 64-run association withMaharoof (28) after the Lankans were reduced to 56-4 and then 165-6.
The right-handed middle order batsman struck 12 fours and a six in hisunbeaten knock.
Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar picked two wickets but neither of them wereeconomical while Sreesanth was even more profligate with 1-46 from eight overs.
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Attapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya gave Sri Lanka a solid start, making 42 runsof seven overs after being put in.
Jayasuriya even hit Zaheer for a six over the mid-wicket and ensured arun-rate in excess of six an over.
Silva and Dilshan avoided any risk and kept the scoreboard ticking with somesharp running between the wickets.
The duo picked Harbhajan Singh for special treatment. Silva plundered twofours and a six for 17 runs in Harbhajan's second over.
Russell Arnold (22) added 41 runs in 60 balls for the sixth wicket with Silvabefore he was caught at long on by Sreesanth off Sehwag.
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PTI
