Sehwag, Yuvraj blast centuries as India pile up record total

Colombo, Feb 3 (PTI) Yuvraj Singh (117) and Virender Sehwag (116) cracked blistering centuries to propel India to a record 363 for five in the third cricket one-dayer against Sri Lanka here today.Electing to bat, the Indians recovered from two early jolts and rode on Yuvraj and Sehwag's stunning assault to record their highest total on Sri Lankan soil, eclipsing the previous best of 307 for 6 in 1998 at the same venue.Sehwag and Yuvraj set the R Premadasa stadium ablaze with their scintillating strokeplay as the duo stitched a record 221 runs for the third wicket to guide the visitors to an imposing total from where they can push for a series-clinching victory.Yousuf Pathan (59 not out) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (35 not out) were the other notable contributors for the visitors who have left Sri Lanka with a stiff asking rate 7.26 runs per over for a victory.The twin centuries also broke a jinx as no Indian batsman had hit a ODI century on Sri Lankan soil in the last ten years.The Indians, leading the five-match series 2-0, had a rather disappointing start to the innings when Sachin Tendulkar was handed a dubious leg before wicket decision for the third successive time.But as a disappointed Tendulkar walked back to the pavilion, Sehwag and Yuvraj brought the smiles back in the dressing room with an audacious exhibition of strokes which put the islanders completely on the backfoot. PTI