Dilshan ton helps Sri Lanka destroy India in final

DAMBULLA, (Reuters) – A brilliant century by opener  Tillakaratne Dilshan led Sri Lanka to a crushing 74-run win over  India in the final of the Tri-series yesterday.

Dilshan bludgeoned 12 fours and a six to help the hosts  amass a total of 299 for eight after choosing to bat first.

He shared a run-a-ball opening stand of 121 with Mahela  Jayawardene (39) and also added 85 in 96 balls for the third  wicket with captain Kumar Sangakkara (71).

In reply India lost Dinesh Karthik for a duck in the first  over and their hopes took a serious dent when the in-form  Virender Sehwag followed for 28. Opener Sehwag, the leading run-scorer in the tournament, was  run out by a direct hit as he attempted to steal a leg bye.

India then lost wickets regularly and only skipper Mahendra  Singh Dhoni was able to offer resistance, top-scoring with 67 as  his side were bowled out for 225.

Sri Lanka medium-pacer Thisara Perera and off-spinner Suraj  Randiv shared six wickets.