Yuvraj fires India to easy victory

Colombo, August 15:

Yuvraj Singh geared up for the one-day series against Sri Lanka with an explosive 172 to power India to a comfortable 92-run victory in a practice match here on Friday.

The left-hander smashed 13 sixes and eight fours in his 121-ball knock as the tourists posted a challenging 342-5 before restricting a Sri Lankan XI to 250-6 in a 50-over clash. Yuvraj went on the rampage after completing his century, hitting four successive sixes off spinner Jehan Mubarak. He was caught at deep mid-wicket by Mahela Udawatte while trying a big shot off seamer Chanaka Welegedara.

He was involved in three valuable stands, adding 77 for the third wicket with Suresh Raina (45), 85 for the next with Rohit Sharma (24) and 99 for the sixth wicket with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (20 not out).

The hosts never looked like reaching the stiff target despite impressive half-centuries from Jehan Mubarak (60) and Upul Tharanga (50).

The five-match one-day international series starts in Dambulla on Monday.