Tendulkar inspires India

NAGPUR – Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 93 on his return from injury to inspire India to a 152-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international on Tuesday.

India amassed 350 for six wickets in 50 overs before dismissing Sri Lanka for 198 with 14.2 overs to spare. The hosts took a 1-0 lead in the seven-match series.Tendulkar, who underwent elbow surgery in May, shared in a 164-run second wicket partnership with Irfan Pathan from just 137 balls after captain Rahul Dravid chose to bat.Pathan, promoted up the order, hit a 70-ball 83 before Dravid took over to lash 85 not out in 63 balls to put his team on top.Dravid, who replaced Saurav Ganguly as captain, was named man of the match.Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh struck three quick blows to reduce Sri Lanka to 88 for five in 15 overs, as the slow bowlers took command on a helpful pitch.Opener Sanath Jayasuriya (27) and Kumar Sangakkara (43) added 64 runs at nearly seven an over for the second wicket.Harbhajan removed Jayasuriya to trigger the collapse.Tendulkar set the tone for the victory by playing numerous vintage shots.- Nampa-ReutersThe hosts took a 1-0 lead in the seven-match series.Tendulkar, who underwent elbow surgery in May, shared in a 164-run second wicket partnership with Irfan Pathan from just 137 balls after captain Rahul Dravid chose to bat.Pathan, promoted up the order, hit a 70-ball 83 before Dravid took over to lash 85 not out in 63 balls to put his team on top.Dravid, who replaced Saurav Ganguly as captain, was named man of the match.Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh struck three quick blows to reduce Sri Lanka to 88 for five in 15 overs, as the slow bowlers took command on a helpful pitch.Opener Sanath Jayasuriya (27) and Kumar Sangakkara (43) added 64 runs at nearly seven an over for the second wicket.Harbhajan removed Jayasuriya to trigger the collapse.Tendulkar set the tone for the victory by playing numerous vintage shots.- Nampa-Reuters