Yuvraj fires India to series-clinching win

VISAKHAPATNAM, India, Feb 17, 2007 (AFP) - Yuvraj Singh smashed a blistering 95 not out to guide India to a series-clinching seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the fourth and final one-dayer here on Saturday.







He received valuable support from Sourav Ganguly (58 not out) as India surpassed Sri Lanka's total of 259-7 with six overs to spare to win the series 2-1. The opening match was abandoned due to rain.

The win gave India a crucial psychological edge going into next month's World Cup in the Caribbean as they will meet Sri Lanka in Group B.

Others in the group are Bangladesh and Bermuda, with the top two sides advancing to the next round.

Yuvraj and Ganguly built on Robin Uthappa's quickfire 37-ball 52 to steer their team home with a record 145-run stand for the unfinished fourth wicket in a match reduced to 47-overs-a-side due to a damp outfield.

India's previous best for the fourth wicket against Sri Lanka was 128 between Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir in 2005.

The Indian batsmen eventually overshadowed Sri Lankan Chamara Silva, who slammed an impressive 107 not out for his maiden hundred in one-dayers, although Silva clinched the man-of-the-match prize.

Uthappa and Virender Sehwag (46