Dhoni shines in India's 93-run win

Wicketkeeper Mahendra Dhoni scored a stylish 88 to guide India to a 93-run victory over a Kurunegala District Invitation XI yesterday.

India, playing their last warm-up game before a triangular series with Sri Lanka and West Indies starts on Saturday, scored 250 in 42.2 overs and then bowled out the young Sri Lankan side for 157 in 36.2 overs. Dhoni, opening the innings with Virender Sehwag, cracked his 88 from 97 balls, hitting two sixes and six fours.

The 24-year-old right-hander, who scored 86 not out in India's first practice game on Monday, is the one India batsman to have clicked into top form after the team's three-month break from international cricket.

The next highest scorer was Suresh Raina with 29 but Sehwag (16), Yuvraj Singh (20), Rahul Dravid (15), Mohammad Kaif (three) and Venugopal Rao (13) failed to capitalise on their last match practice.

Pace bowler Irfan Pathan, though, warmed up well for India's opener with Sri Lanka on Saturday, taking 3-20 during his new-ball burst on a slow pitch.

Former Sri Lanka internationals Jehan Mubarak (46) and Lanka de Silva (51) made India's other bowlers work hard during a 90-run stand from 94 balls for the fourth wicket. But after Mubarak pulled a short ball from Ashish Nehra (2-36) straight to midwicket, the Kurunegala District XI folded, losing their last seven wickets for 47 runs.

India 250 in 42.2 overs (M.S. Dhoni 88, S Raina 29; Dilan Karunaratne 3-47)

Kurunegala District Invitation XI 157 in 36.2 overs (S.K.L. de Silva 51, J. Mubarak 46, I. Pathan 3-20, A. Nehra 2-36, V. Sehwag 2-18)