August 16, 2008	Saturday	Sha'aban 13, 1429

COLOMBO, Aug 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 against a Sri Lanka XI side 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 Sri Lankan XI to 250-6 in a 50-over clash.

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

Yuvraj went on the rampage after completing his century, hitting four successive sixes off spinner Jehan Mubarak.

Yuvraj 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 middle-order batsman Mubarak (60) and left-handed opener Upul Tharanga (50).

Summarised scores:

INDIA 342-5 in 50 overs (Yuvraj Singh 172, Suresh Raina 45, Gautam Gambhir 31; Chanaka Welegedara 2-64).

SRI LANKA XI 250-6 in 50 overs (Jehan Mubarak 60, Upul Tharanga 50, Kaushal Silva 38 not out, Chamara Silva 38; Irfan Pathan 2-48).—AFP