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Dhoni's smashing century helps India to defeat Sri Lanka

Mahendra Dhoni's smashing century lifted India to a six-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in a limited-overs international on Monday, surmounting a challenging target to take a 3-0 lead in the seven-match series.

Dhoni's unbeaten 183, his second century in 22 one-dayers and the highest score by a wicketkeeper-batsman in one-dayers, spurred India to 303 for four in 46.1 overs after Sri Lanka posted 298 for four in 50.

Setting a new Indian landmark of 10 sixes in a limited-overs internationals, Dhoni, 24, equaled the second-highest score by an Indian batsman.

Australian Adam Gilchrist's 172 -- against Zimbabwe in 2004 -- was the previous highest score by a wicketkeeper-batsman.

Dhoni fell three runs short of Sachin Tendulkar's Indian top score 186 not out against New Zealand at Hyderabad in 1999, but matched former skipper Sourav Ganguly's score of 183 -- which too was against Sri Lanka during the 1999 World Cup.

Dhoni fell just one short of the world record number of sixes -- 11 each by Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi -- but again surpassed the Indian mark of seven that earlier stood jointly in the names of Tendulkar and Ganguly.

Opener Kumar Sangakkara's career-best 138 not out had raised Sri Lanka's hopes of reducing India's lead in the series, but Dhoni's blitz dashed the touring side's hopes despite the first-over dismissal of ace batsman Tendulkar.

Repeatedly lifting the ball straight to the sight-screen, Dhoni went past his previous top score of 148 not out -- made against Pakistan six months ago -- as he punished leg-spinner Upul Chandana for four sixes.

Pace bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Farveez Mehroof, and off-break bowler Tillekeratne Dilshan were each hoisted over the fence two times by Dhoni, whose 145-ball knock also contained 16 fours.

Langer ruled out

Australian opener Justin Langer has been ruled out of the first cricket test against the West Indies and will be replaced by Mike Hussey in his test debut.

Langer, who suffered a broken rib while batting on Saturday during a domestic first-class match, finished a two-hour fielding session and batted in the nets yesterday before he was ruled out.

Langer has played 53 consecutive matches since gaining a recall for The Oval test of the 2001 Ashes tour.

Western Australian vice captain Hussey has scored 15,313 first-class runs at an average of 52.8. No Australian has made more first-class runs before making their test debut.
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