INDIA cantered to a 105-run victory over New Zealand in Dambulla, qualifying for the Tri-Series final on the back of Virender Sehwag’s 93-ball 110.

Sehwag’s knock was the standout performance on a day where ball dominated bat, as his India side managed only 223 all out and New Zealand were skittled for 118.

Praveen Kumar (three for 34) and Munaf Patel (three for 21) ripped through the inexperienced Black Caps’ lineup after India failed to make the most of Sehwag’s century to leave a chaseable target.

New Zealand made a dismal start to their reply, losing wickets in a heap with virtually nothing on the score board.

Kumar and Ashish Nehra used the seaming conditions so well that the first four batsmen could not even reach double figures and by the 17th over Ross Taylor’s side had been reduced to 42 for six.

Martin Guptill, Taylor and Scott Styris were snared by the Kumar, while Patel saw off Grant Elliott, Gareth Hopkins and Nathan McCullum.

At one stage New Zealand were reduced to 53 for eight but a 27-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Kyle Mills and Tim Southee held the innings together for a while.

Ravindra Jadeja snapped the partnership by forcing Southee to play a lofted drive straight down the throat of long-on.

Mills then switched gears, smashing the bowling to all parts in an entertaining powerplay.