Cuttack: Ravindra Jadeja (4/32) and Sachin Tendulkar (96*) guided India to an easy 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the third ODI. India led the 5-match series 2-1.
It was quite a professional performance by the home side as they first restricted the visitors to an average total and later chased it down with ease.
India reached the target of 240 in 42.4 overs with opener Sachin Tendulkar playing right through the innings remaining unbeaten on 96. Sehwag gave a blistering start with his quick fire 44 off 28 balls. Gambhir (32) and Yuvraj (23) also contributed in the middle while Karthik (36*) saw India through with Tendulkar.
Sri Lanka had quite a small target to defend as they lost the plot early on after failing to post a strong total after a scintillating start.
Ravindra Jadeja gets the Man of the Match award for his outstanding bowling performance. He ended with figures of 4 for 32 from his 10 overs.
Nehra, Jadeja, Harbhajan and Ishant did the hard work then, and after a rousing 44 from Sehwag, Tendulkar patiently made an unbeaten 96.
The home side now lead the 5-match series 2-1 with two more games to go. Next match at Kolkata on Thursday.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka: 239 (WU Tharanga 73, RA Jadeja 4-32)
India: 242 for 3 (SR Tendulkar 96*, UWMBCA Welegedara 2-35)
Result: India won by 7-wickets
MOM: Ravindra Jadeja (India)