The virtual semi-final of the tri-series in Dambulla failed to live up to expectations as India romped to a 105-run victory thanks to a Virender Sehwag masterclass and a polished Indian bowling display.

Sehwag's innings was the standout performance in a game in which the batting frailties of both teams were embarrassingly exposed. A swashbuckling and unexpected half-century from Kyle Mills was the only point of encouragement for a New Zealand side who leave Dambulla licking their wounds with plenty of work to do before the World Cup next year.

India's day started on a high with Mahendra Singh Dhoni winning the toss and without hesitation the Indian skipper opted to bat. It was not long however before Dhoni's side were rocked by the early loss of Dinesh Karthik, who failed to trouble the scorers and was back in the dressing room after just three deliveries of the innings.

Virat Kohli had been brought into the side to plug the troubled number three spot for India but he offered little in the way of a solution, perishing for eight. Kohli looked on disbelievingly after being given out for a fine edge and will no doubt have booked himself an appointment with the match referee.

The Indian middle-order was once again shown to be lacking in mettle with Sehwag the lone crusader as the score slumped to 66 for four. Yuvraj Singh could only offer one stroke of substance, an exquisite drive for four through cover, before he and Suresh Raina departed without any noteworthy contribution.

In stepped the skipper Dhoni and he showed the application necessary as he dug in to support the free-flowing Sehwag. The Indian opener did most of the scoring in the stand of 107, a vital partnership which was the difference between the two teams in the end.

Sehwag reached three figures off only 87 deliveries and, in cruise control at the crease, was imposingly set for a large total with 20 overs of the innings remaining. However instead of pushing on Sehwag nonchalantly flicked a ball straight to a fielder on the leg-side fence to bring the stand to a close and be on his way for 110.

The wicket signaled a collapse for India as Dhoni (38) was dismissed shortly afterwards with the last five Indian wickets falling for just 24 runs.

The Kiwi bowling display was solid if not spectacular with Tim Southee impressive for his haul of four wickets. Nathan McCullum pitched in three of his own, including the valuable scalps of Sehwag and Dhoni. India meanwhile were guilty of the cardinal sin of not batting out their full allotment with Praveen Kumar playing a rash stroke to be last man out in the 47th over. By that stage however the Indians had reached a competitive total of 223, thanks mainly to the pure class of Sehwag.

At the break it was anyone's game but by the second ball of the New Zealand innings the match had already turned sharply in India's favour with Martin Guptill on his way for a first ball duck. Kumar it was who struck first with both he and Ashish Nehra producing plenty of swing in the windy and gloomy conditions under lights in Dambulla.

Nehra got his reward in the fourth over of the innings as he did for Watling, who was deceived by the movement and chopped onto his stumps. The Kiwis were in trouble and key man Ross Taylor sought the aggressive approach to get his team out of trouble. Facing Kumar he pounced on consecutive short deliveries to collect two boundaries but then got out the very next ball as, with the adrenalin still pumping, he pushed at an outswinger and was caught behind. The wicket of the Black Caps' skipper was a vital strike for India, effectively breaking the back of the Kiwi chase.

Scott Styris came in to join Grant Elliott at the crease as the New Zealand management looked to protect young Kane Williamson, yet to score an ODI run in two outings. However with Styris departing with the score at 22 for four, Williamson was forced in and from his third delivery earned a hearty cheer as he got off the mark in international cricket. A couple of crisp strikes through the leg side followed before the 19-year old, clearly a man with talent, was snared by a great delivery from Ishant Sharma.

Despite extras being the second top scorer in the Kiwi innings it was an impressive display from India's bowlers who made the most of the conditions and a weak opposition batting line-up. Kumar and Nehra took five wickets between them and Munaf Patel, brought into the side for Pragyan Ojha, proved his worth with three wickets.

The batting nightmare was at its worst for New Zealand when the innings slumped to 53 for eight before some enterprising hitting from Kyle Mills (52) at the death provided the Kiwis with a hint of respectability. Mills' fifty came off just 34 balls as he laid into the Indian bowlers, but it was never going to be enough to deny India, who comfortably booked their place in Saturday's final with Sehwag a cut above the rest.

Shot of the Day
Virender Sehwag scored just about half of India's runs and was as classy as ever in reaching three figures off just 87 balls. His knock was characterised by typical sweet timing throughout with the loss of wickets around him having no impact on his aggressive strokeplay.

Early in the piece, with Sehwag on 17, Kyle Mills produced a delivery short of a length on off stump or just outside. Sehwag's response was to rock back with one leg up and flick the ball across to the leg side effortlessly for a boundary. The shot epitomised the control and ease with which Sehwag went about his innings.

Delivery Of The Day
Kane Williamson finally opened his ODI account and was starting to look more and more comfortable at the crease despite the wretched position of his team. He was no match for an Ishant Sharma stunner however. The lanky Indian quick produced a full delivery, drawing the 19-year old onto the front foot. The ball, with upright seam, pitched and jagged in sharply off the seam, pin-balling off bat and pad and clattering into the stumps.

Moment Of The Day
The match was all about Sehwag really. His 110 was almost exactly the 105-run difference between the teams and he was never troubled in a match in which every other batsman, besides Kyle Mills, battled in the conditions.

For all the controversy of Sehwag's unbeaten 99 against Sri Lanka, the moment of the day was easily Sehwag pushing a single into the off side to bring up a richly-deserved hundred, the 13th of his career. (Kane Williamson deserves an honourable mention in this category for finally getting his first run in ODI cricket.)

Doug Saxby