MUMBAI, April 2 (IANS) - Mahela Jayawardene struck a classy unconquered century to lead Sri Lanka out of a sluggish start to a challenging 274/6 in the cricket World Cup final against India here Saturday.Playing before a packed 33,000 crowd at the Wankhede stadium, the Sri Lankans initially found the going tough against some accurate bowling by the Indians, particularly Zaheer Khan, but recovered to set the home side a tough asking rate of 5.5 runs per over.
As wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end, Sri Lankan vice captain Jayawardene anchored the innings to score his fourth World Cup century and remained unbeaten on 103 off 88 balls. His knock was embellished with 13 fours.
Thisara Perera (22 not out of nine balls) hit a cameo and ended the innings with a flourish by hoisting Zaheer over square leg for an overboundary. Zaheer, who started with bowling three maiden overs, was taken for 18 runs in his last over with Perera doing the damage.
The Sri Lankan innings revolved around four good partnerships and Jayawardene was involved in three of them.
The 33-year-old hit two consecutive fours off Zaheer to get to the three-figure mark in 84 balls.
The Sri Lankans, who had scored only 105/2 at the half way stage, sped up in the last 10 overs when 91 runs came. They also made good use of the batting powerplay, blazing 63 runs in the last five overs.
Electing to bat, the Sri Lankans lost opener Upul Tharanga (2) early.
Seasoned seamer Zaheer led India to a sound start by maintaining a steady line and length as Tharanga and Dilshan Tillakratne (33) found it hard to get him away. The bowlers were backed by some sharp Indian fieldings.
Tharanga, who was lackluster, edged an away going delivery and a deafening roar greeted the fall of the first Sri Lankan wicket as Virender Sehwag threw himself on to the ground to lap up the low catch in Zaheer's fourth over. The left arm pacer was yet to give a run in the match as all his first three overs were maidens.
Sangakkara and Dilshan then put on 43 for the second wicket
Sangakkara, who began sedately, cut loose in the 13th over, clobbering S.Sreesanth for three boundaries with a well-timed shot past mid-on, a drive and an edge past thirdman.
But just when the partnership had started to look promising, Harbhajan Singh removed the dangerous Tillakaratne.
Dilshan, who is the top-scorer of the tournament, tried to sweep Harbhajan but the ball brushed his gloves and hit his thigh before rattling the stumps. Dilshan played 49 balls and hit three fours.
Sangakkara and Jayawardene then forged a 62-run partnership, but the threatening stand was broken when Yuvraj Singh dismissed the Sri Lankan captain in the 28th over.
Sangakkara (48) went for a cut, but only managed an edge to Dhoni off Yuvraj.
After 30 overs, Sri Lanka were 132 for three with Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera (21) at the crease putting on 57 runs for the fourth wicket.
Yuvraj got his second wicket when he trapped Samaraweera leg before.
Samaraweera was struck on the leg as he went for a big sweep but missed the ball. Umpire Simon Taufel rejected the appeal but India went for a review which showed that the ball was hitting the middle stump.
Chamara Kapugedera (1), soon made his way to the hut, giving a simple catch to Suresh Raina at short extra cover.
Nuwan Kulasekara (32 off 30 balls) and Jayawardene then stitched together a rollicking 66 run stand in only 8.1 overs for the sixth wicket that put Sri Lanka in a commanding position.
Kulasekara was run out trying to steal a single in the 48th over before Perera joined Jayawardene to give the innings a late thrust.