September 15, 2009: Sachin Tendulkar and Harbajan Singh played their part with the bat and ball respectively to seal a 46-run win against a determined Sri Lankan outfit in the Triangular One Day series also involving New Zealand.
Chasing a target of 320 runs under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, plagued by the continuous fall of wickets, tried to put on a fight to stay in the game.Having won the toss and electing to bat first, Indian openers Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar shared a 95-run stand before Dravid made his way back to the dressing room for 39 runs.
Tendulkar, hammering his 44th one day century together with Dhoni making a valuable half century moved India forward.
It was Lasith Malinga who brought the 110 run partnership to an end when he got the better of Dhoni while Tendulkar followed soon after for 138 runs.
An unbeaten 56 runs off 41 deliveries by Youvraj Singh saw India post a total of 319 for 5 in 50 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka were given a flying start thanks to the efforts of Thilakaratne Dilshan who made 42 and Sanath Jayasuriya who contributed with 36 runs.
Dilshan fell victim to the bowling of Harbhahan Singh while Irfan Pathan dismissed Sanath Jayasuriya.
Skipper Kumar Sangakkara chipped in with 33 runs before his bat slipped from his hands, flew back over his shoulder and hit the stumps.
Although Thilan Kandamby and Chamara Kapugedara came together for a promising partnership for the home team, their efforts were cut back as Suraish Raina bagged the wicket of Kapugedara for 35 runs handing India the trophy.
Tendulkar was awarded the Man of the Match and the Man of the Series for his swashbuckling performance with the willow.