HOBART: Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir not only scored identical knocks of 63 to guide India to the finals of the Commonwealth Bank Triangular Series here on Tuesday, they also raised a record-breaking 102 runs for the second wicket.
Tendulkar and Gambhir's partnership, which helped the team beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets, was India's best at Hobart, bettering the 28-run stand between Virender Sehwag and Hemang Badani against Zimbabwe in 2004.
Tendulkar extended his record for most century partnerships to 85 and One-Day International (ODI) half-centuries to 88. His tally of 15 half-centuries against Sri Lanka is the most by him against any opponent, bettering his 14 half tons against Pakistan.
Gambhir is now the third Indian to amass 400 runs in the annual triangular series. Having already amassed 422 at an average of 70.33, the left-hander now requires 22 to surpass V.V.S. Laxman's tally of 443 at 63.29 in 10 matches in 2003-04.
Tendulkar had made 401 at 44.56 in 10 matches in 1991-92.
With Tuesday's win, India ended their league engagements with 17 points from eight matches while Australia had earlier ensure their entry into the finals with 26 points from seven matches.
Even if Sri Lanka, who have only six points from seven matches, beat Australia with a bonus point, it will take their points tally only to 11.
The best-of-three finals will be played March 2, 4 and 7.
