By Gina Gomez
In today’s final of the Compaq Cup triangular one day series which is being held in Colombo, played out between India and Sri Lanka at the R. Premdasa Stadium, the Indian captain Mahendra Dhoni had won the toss and had elected to bat. The Indian team launched in to an early attack with the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar in a fiery form. Tendulkar raced the match to a great score, playing alongside Rahul Dravid, who got out at 39. The two put up a substantial opening score of 95 for the opening wicket before Dravid was sent packing from the field when Sanath Jayasuriya dismissed him.

Tendulkar made a score of 138 of 133 ball, the 44th one day international century for him. His enormous score and batting, plus the joint team effort of the team put up a big score of 319 for 5 for the host team to chase. His superb century also included 10 fours and 1 six. He was ably assisted by both M.S. Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, who put up half centuries each.

The Sri Lankan side gave in 18 wides to further the cause of the Indian team. The Indian side made a change in the batting line up, having replaced Dinesh Karthik by Virat Kohli.

With an enormous score to chase, the host nation already seemed to be under a lot of pressure and it showed in their every move as they took to the pitch. Batting veterans like Jayasuriya and captain Sangkkara fell early on in the match without achieving to sum up a great total. After Saturday’s defeat, India looks like to be in a state to crush the powerful Lankans. According to just received updates, India has won the match by 46 runs, with the Lankans being all out at 273 in 46.4 overs. India wins the final of the tri-series.