India thrash New Zealand, enter Tri-Series Final

Breaking News! Team India thrashed New Zealand by 105 runs in a do-or-die match tonight to enter the Micromax Tri-Series in Dambulla. India will take on Sri Lanka in the final on August 28.

It was a superlative performance by the Indians. They avenged the 200-run loss against New Zealand in the first tri-series match. Now, they need to pay back to the Sri Lankans in the final. Virender Sehwag led the Indian victory. He was well assisted by the bowlers.

The Indians outsmarted the Kiwis in each department of the game. They won the toss and elected to bat. Although other batsmen failed to make any impact, Sehwag continued his onslaught. He made 110 off 93 balls, as India bowled out for 223 in 46.3 overs.

Dhoni contributed 38 and was involved in a 107-run partnership with Sehwag for the fifth wicket. That turned the game in India's favour. For New Zealand, Tim Southee took 4 wickets, while Nathan McCullum took 3 wickets. Kyle Mills took 2 wickets.

Chasing a victory target of 224, New Zealand batsmen could not stand before the Indian seamers. The Black Caps were 53/8 at one stage. They were in the danger of being bowled out for less than 70. However, Kyle Mills played a blinder to add some respect to their total.

Mills made 52 off 35 balls with 7 boundaries and 3 sixes. New Zealand bowled out for 118 in 30.1 overs. For India, Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel took 3 wickets each. Ashish Nehra took 2 wickets. Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket each. Virender Sehwag was declared "Man of the Match".

India won the match with a bonus point. They finished second in the points table with 10 points, while Sri Lanka topped the table with 11 points. India and Sri Lanka will clash in the final on Saturday, August 28.