Canberra, February 12:

Sri Lanka hammered India by eight wickets to revive their hopes in the rain-hit tri-series on Tuesday.

Set a revised 154 to win from 21 overs, Sri Lanka reached the rain-adjusted target with two overs to spare for their first win of the series. India made 195-5 from 29 overs after an early downpour delayed the start of play, but the game was shortened again when further rain arrived during the break between innings.

After veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya gave Sri Lanka a flying start with 27 from 13 balls they were always comfortably placed to reach the Indian total. Although Ishant Sharma removed Jayasuriya, Dilshan’s classy half-century guided his side safely to the target. Man-of-the-match Dilshan was unbeaten on 62, hitting six boundaries and one six. He put on 85 with Jayawardene (36 not out).

Rohit Sharma scored 70 not out to anchor the Indian effort. Sharma and skipper Dhoni put on 68 in just 46 balls after coming together when Gautam Gambhir was run out for 35 (off 33 balls). Dhoni made 31 before he too was run out attempting a risky second run.

The result evened up the tri-series ladder considerably, with India on top on eight points, Australia on seven and Sri Lanka on six.

Black Caps win

HAMILTON: A dominant batting performance by openers Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder powered New Zealand to a 10-wicket win over England in the second one-day cricket international on Tuesday.

The overwhelming victory, completed with 17.5 overs to spare in the rain-shortened game, lifted New Zealand to 2-0 in the five-match series. Set an adjusted target of 165 in 36 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system, McCullum belted 80 off 47 balls and Ryder cracked 79 from 62.

Their unbroken stand was a New Zealand record against England, eclipsing the 160 by Martin Crowe and Geoff Howard set in 1984. England, sent into bat by New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, were all out for 158 with five balls remaining in their innings, which was interrupted by a 140-minute rain delay.