Tendulkar in the runs again

India will meet Sri Lanka in the final of the tri- nations tournament following a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in Colombo.

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COLOMBO // India will meet Sri Lanka in the final of the tri- nations tournament following a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in Colombo. With one win each over New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka are assured of a place in the final and today's match will only act as a dress rehearsal.

The Black Caps bowed out of the tournament after mustering a total of 155 yesterday. They had particular trouble against India's left-armers. Ashish Nehra (three for 24) and Yuvraj Singh (three for 31) shared six wickets, with Nehra claiming the crucial wickets of Jesse Ryder with his second ball of the match, and the dangerous Brendon McCullum. Nehra passed the 100 ODI-wicket mark in the process.

Daniel Vettori top-scored with 25 as his side failed to last their quota of 50 overs. Grant Elliott, was the only batsman who could have any complaints, with replays suggesting he was incorrectly given out for 22 by Kumar Dharmasena down the leg side. India had their share of anxious moments in reply, losing wickets at regular intervals in the absence of their prolific opening partnership of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.

Sachin Tendulkar opened the batting with Dinesh Karthik but had to play a lone hand from one end as Karthik (four), comeback man Rahul Dravid (14) and Yuvraj (8) perished early. After Tendulkar departed for 46 - taking his ODI tally to 16,730 runs - Suresh Raina and captain MS Dhoni steered the side home with plenty of overs to spare. sports@thenational.ae