Sachin Tendulkar's 26th one day international century was the highlight of a generally lacklustre Indian innings in the opening game of the Coca Cola Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka at Sharjah on Friday. The 27-year-old batting maestro hit 101 but except for Robin Singh, none of the other batsman contributed anything substantial and India were restricted to 224 for eight in 50 overs. Four run outs compounded the Indians' agony

Winning the toss, India were off to a bright start with skipper Sourav Ganguly and Tendulkar putting on 33 runs off 6.3 overs. But the troubles started with Ganguly being held by Gunawardene off Vaas for 17.

Rahul Dravid seemed to have settled down when he was run out for 16 by a direct throw from Sanath Jayasuriya. Dravid's failure to ground his bat cost him dearly. His fall made India 64 for two in the 15th over.

Vinod Kambli also seemed to be shaping well but was also run out for 12. Sent back by Tendulkar when there seemed to be a single, he could not beat Jayasuriya's throw to wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana. The new Indian batting hero Yuvraj Singh did not last long, beaten and bowled by Muthiah Muralitharan's flight and turn when he had scored just seven.

At this stage India were 102 for four in the 24th over but their hopes were revived by Tendulkar and Robin Singh. The two put on exactly 100 runs for the fifth wicket off 22 overs before Robin Singh played a lofted drive off Muralitharan but could not clear Marvan Attapattu. The 37-year-old left hander had batted in exemplary fashion, facing 61 balls for his 35 and hitting only one boundary.

Tendulkar, who had in the meantime, reached his century was run out in the next over following another direct throw, this time from Gunawardene. He faced 140 balls for his 101 and hit just three boundaries, besides a six. That made India 205 for six in the 47th over.

Anil Kumble and Ajit Agarkar took the score to 222 when in the last over, the former was bowled by Chaminda Vaas. Off the next delivery Vijay Dahiya became the fourth run out victim of the innings and the Indians could not have been very happy at their final total.

Vaas and Muralitharan were the pick of the bowlers and finished with two wickets each for 40 and 36 runs respectively.

© CricInfo