Suresh Raina century helps India to 245

Suresh Raina's first ODI century against serious opposition - his previous two were against Hong Kong and Bangladesh - could prove to be his most influential contribution when a rejuvenated India take the field to defend 245 in Dhaka. Having dug themselves into a deep hole at 60 for 5, India were made to fight every inch for their total and while it is far less than what they should have got on a good batting track, it looks a whole lot better thanks to Raina.

His effort was the fourth-highest ODI score by an Indian at No. 6. From the time he entered the carnage in the ninth over, with India 4 for 47, to the time he was dismissed for 106 in the 46th over, Raina was confidence personified. However, Sri Lanka finished off well, taking the last four wickets for 32 runs in 5.2 overs and, given the notorious dew factor, will back themselves to chase this and secure a rare tournament title.

For the fulcrum of that belief, rewind to an overcast and mildly chilly Dhaka afternoon, when India's innings resembled an automobile ignition on a wintry morning in Denmark. A mishmash of indiscreet shot selection, accurate new-ball bowling, efficient left-arm pace and smart catching is often a recipe for a lop-sided contest and India so nearly made it one. The top order played without purpose - completely failing to make use of the chance to bat time at the crease - and wickets fell in a heap before the second fielding Powerplay was taken.

Gautam Gambhir's first-over dismissal - bowled off the pads while trying to glance Nuwan Kulasekara - set about a brief period of chaos where India's batsmen made the slightly nippy Chanaka Welegedara look like Jeff Thomson. Virat Kohli, in a rich vein of form, had only himself to blame when he steered a wide ball to Kumar Sangakkara. The change of angle had worked for Welegedara, who, with the previous ball, had been unfortunate to have a good lbw shout turned down. For Yuvraj Singh, who had not batted so early in the innings since November 8 against Australia, Sangakkara plugged two slips in a strong off-side field. It worked to perfection, as Yuvraj stood up and flirted with a rising delivery outside off stump and was well snapped up by Thilan Samaraweera at second slip, plucking the thick outside edge with one hand. Welegedara, hovering in the late 120s to early 130 kmph, had made Yuvraj look like a novice.

Sehwag - who went past 7,000 ODI runs today - didn't think it was over, counterattacking for a period in which boundaries flowed square on the off side with precision. But overconfidence did MS Dhoni in, as he attempted another drive and nicked Kulasekara to Sangakkara, for the wicketkeeper's 300th ODI dismissal. As with several Sehwag cameos in the recent past, this too wouldn't last. Sangakkara opted not to take the second fielding Powerplay after ten overs and Sehwag, looking to manufacture a run, uppercut Kulasekara to Sangakkara. It was the fourth time an Indian batsman had played an injudicious shot.

With India struggling at 76 for 5 after 15 overs, this was threatening to be one of the quickest finals in recent memory. Luckily for India, Raina and Ravindra Jadeja proceeded to buckle down and give the innings a backbone. Raina was the more dominant partner after settling down to bat sensibly. After beginning with a wild shot that evaded mid-off, he showed signs of real intent. A pull through midwicket in the 20th over changed the tempo from survival to acceleration, and an open-faced steer between mid-off and extra cover was the shot of the innings. In Jadeja, who initially looked more suited to the situation than his senior team-mate, he found a capable ally with whom he stitched together an invaluable 106-run stand that helped push India's score to a respectable 245.

As their confidence increased, so did the nature of their shots. For the first 30-odd minutes of their alliance Raina and Jadeja were circumspect, content to thrust bat and pad together, but then they began flicking deliveries on off stump and just outside with precision. Fielders moved back from cover to deep extra cover and point to deep backward point as the pair began dabbing Suraj Randiv's spin with soft hands square on the off side as well.

Raina never allowed the situation get to him. He was alert to the singles, was skilled at placing the ball into the gaps, and called and responded well with Jadeja. Forty one of Raina's runs came behind the wicket, all through dabs, steers, glance and gentle maneuvering, but it was the crisply struck drives that had spectators purring and then cheering. The cover area was regularly threaded, especially as Raina made room to dominate the bowlers.

At 166 for 5 in the 35th over, India appeared on course for 250 but Dilshan trapped Jadeja (38) plumb in front. Harbhajan Singh (11 from 26 balls) and Zaheer Khan (16 from 8) helped India reach 200, but Raina's attempt to boost the tempo, after he crossed his century and lost No's 8 and 9, didn't come off. Despite facing 53 dot balls, Raina's strike-rate was a swift 92.17; marvelous considering the mess he had walked out to. Of the 185 runs scored since he came to the middle, Raina contributed 106. His excellent contribution at least gave India something to bowl at.

SL to put pressure on inconsistent Indian bowling

Indian bowlers have been leaking runs in the tournament so far and Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara today said his side would look to exploit their opponent's bowling woes in the cricket tri-series final today.

"We have been putting pressure on their bowling for the last two or three months or even more than that. We would be looking to do that tomorrow. But at the same time we don't underestimate any side or any player. We will play to our strength to win the game tomorrow," Sangakarra said after his team practice session ahead of the summit clash at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here.

Sangakkara said his side has moved on from the crushing defeat it suffered at the hands of India on Sunday.

"It was a bad performance by us on Sunday with the bat and ball and even fielding. We have forgotten that and it will be a fresh start tomorrow. We have been preparing for the final as best as possible and we want to win," he said.

Sehwag turns up for practice, set to play Idea Cup final

Vice-captain Virender Sehwag is back in action after skipping team training for the last few days as he turned up for practice today ahead of the cricket tri-series final against Sri Lanka here tomorrow.

Sehwag, who was rested for India's last two matches, did not join practice on Saturday and was not seen with the team on Sunday and Monday but turned up today for an optional net session along with four other team-mates.

On his absence, he said he had got permission from the team management to rest but will play tomorrow's final.

"I was given rest by the team management and I enjoyed my it (at team hotel)," he said after having around two-hour net session at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium indoor facilities along with Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

"I will play in the final and I hope I will do well to win the series," said the dashing opener who has scored 47 and 9 in the two matches he had played so far.

Sehwag did not agree that India's bowling woes would affect their chances in the summit clash.

"We have been playing against Sri Lanka with these bowlers in the past two-three months and they have done well.

I think they will do well tomorrow with Zaheer Khan returning and he was brilliant in that match against Sri Lanka (on Sunday)."

On Virat Kohli's fine run in form, Sehwag said the youngster should not be put under pressure.

"He is in fine form. A century and a 71 and 91, but we should allow him to enjoy his game. He is young and we should not put him under pressure," said Sehwag.

He said a lot would depend on winning the toss but the team will have to post a big total in case Mahendra Singh Dhoni do not call the coin correctly and they are put into bat.