India see off Sri Lanka challenge

A brilliant 128 from Kumar Sangakkara had helped Sri Lanka post a competitive 238 for six - the wicketkeeper-batsman sharing a 153-run third-wicket stand with captain Mahela Jayawardene (71).

The India response was not without its hiccups but 76 from 70 balls from Yuvraj and an unbeaten 50 by skipper Dhoni saw them home with five balls to spare.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sri Lanka lost their first wicket to Munaf Patel's fourth ball as Tillakaratne Dilshan (four) prodded a curving delivery into the grateful hands of Dhoni.

Two overs later, Sangakkara's straight drive off Patel was tipped onto the stumps by the bowler - who was looking to stop a certain boundary of the overpitched delivery rather than anything else - and ran out non-striker Sanath Jayasuriya (nought) who had strayed out of his ground.

Sangakkara and Jayawardene then steadied the ship, but when Jayawardene was run out it was left to Sangakkara to hold the innings together, with Chamara Silva making a useful contribution of 21.

The India reply could hardly have got off to a worse start as Sachin Tendulkar headed back to the pavilion in only the second over - bowled by a Lasith Malinga inswinger without having troubled the scorers.

Robin Uthappa added 10 to the total before being run out by a direct hit from Jayasuriya attempting a quick single, and opener Gautam Gambhir soon followed suit when he edged behind to Sangakkara for 15 off Ishara Amerasinghe.

Rohit and Yuvraj put on 64 for the fourth wicket before Rohit Sharma (24) was dismissed by Muttiah Muralitharan, Yuvraj was then bowled by Chaminda Vaas to put the game back in the balance at 158 for five. Irfan Pathan (31) and Praveen Kumar (six) were also dismissed to leave India 229 for seven.

Malinga trapped Harbhajan Singh (three) leg before wicket, but Dhoni eventually finished things off by smashing the first ball of the last over from Farveez Maharoof through the covers for four to reach his 50 and see India home.