Hobart, February 26:

India claimed a spot in the tri-series finals with a crushing seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their one-day match here on Tuesday.

A spectacular middle-order collapse saw Sri Lanka make just 179 from 47.1 overs and India had few problems reaching the target in 32.2 overs, scoring 180 for three.

Although Sri Lanka still have one game remaining in the series, against Australia on Friday, they cannot reach the finals and it has been a disappointing tournament for last year’s World Cup finalists.

Importantly for India, star batsman Sachin Tendulkar burst out of his form slump ahead of the finals against Australia with his first half-century of the series.

Tendulkar was back to his brilliant best as he punished the bowlers, hitting three successive boundaries off seamer Ishara Amerasinghe in making 63 from 54 balls, including 10 fours. Gautam Gambhir continued his impressive form with an unbeaten 63, while Yuvraj Singh looked dangerous with a rapid 36.

Sri Lanka had appeared to be cruising towards a big total at 72-1, with opener Sanath Jayasuriya back in some touch and Kumar Sangakkara continuing his good form.

However, Sangakkara’s dismissal for 33, caught behind by Dhoni from the bowling of Praveen Kumar, sparked a destructive collapse. Sri Lanka lost 6-21 in just over 11 overs to slump to 93 for seven.

Kumar, who was named man of the match, and Ishant Sharma did most of the damage, claiming four wickets apiece. It was then left to Chamara Kapugedera and tail-ender Lasith Malinga to add some respectability to the innings, the pair putting on 46 before the latter became Sharma’s fourth victim. Kapugedera showed rare fight, making a stylish 57.