India in final

CARDIFF, Wales (AP):

India will play England in the Champions Trophy final after in-form opener Shikhar Dhawan helped steer the world champions to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a one-sided semi-final yesterday.

Set a target of 182 in damp, overcast conditions in south Wales, the Indians romped to victory with 15 overs remaining as Dhawan struck 68 to take his tournament-high haul of runs to 332 in four matches.

A fine display of seam bowling had set the platform for India in a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final, with Ishant Sharma (3-33), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1-18) tying the top order down, and Sri Lanka managing just 181-8. Only captain Angelo Mathews, with a defiant 51, rose above the mediocrity, with Sri Lanka hindered by a calf injury to Tillakaratne Dilshan that forced the opener to hobble off in the fifth over.

England, tournament hosts thriving in familiar conditions, will be seeking their first 50-over ICC title in Sunday's final at Edgbaston, while India can confirm their status as the king of one-day cricket.

"They are a very good side," India captain MS Dhoni said of the English. "We have played them quite often in the last couple of years, so we know the same amount when it comes to knowledge and tactics of the English side. And they know the same about us."

With just three survivors from the squad that lifted the World Cup in Mumbai two years ago, India were initially using the tournament to give some of their young or fringe players high-level experience. They have really stepped up to the challenge with four straight wins.

The team's bowling attack has been surprisingly strong, especially Kumar and spinner Ravindra Jadeja, but the real revelation has been Dhawan, who has emerged from the shadows of long-time openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag to establish himself as a possible mainstay for years to come.

After scoring back-to-back centuries in the group stage - against South Africa and West Indies - as well as a 48 against Pakistan, the 27-year-old left-hander was full of confidence at Sophia Gardens, and underpinned a chase that turned into a canter under threatening skies.

class personified

He was dropped by both Mathews and substitute Sachithra Senanayake and brought up India's 50 with an inside edge that narrowly avoided the stumps, but otherwise he was class personified as he sprayed Sri Lanka's bowlers to all parts using great footwork and technique in a 92-ball knock containing six fours and a six.

With paceman Lasith Malinga for once lacking any real menace, Dhawan, and Rohit Sharma (33), had raced to 77 off 17 overs by the time the latter was bowled as he ran down the wicket and attempted to dispatch Mathews down the ground.

But what was always a tall order for Sri Lanka turned into a near-impossible task, as Virat Kohli joined Dhawan at the crease and settled into his groove, moving the score to 142 by the time Dhawan was stumped by Kumar Sangakkara off Jeevan Mendis.

Kohli, with a brilliant 58, and Suresh Raina (7), saw the Indians home very comfortably.