Colombo, Sep 14 - Sachin Tendulkar cracked his 44th century while Harbhajan Singh provided the turnaround with the ball as India defeated Sri Lanka by 46 runs in the Compaq Cup One-Day International tri-series final at the R. Premadasa stadium here Monday.

India piled on 319, after winning the toss, with Tendulkar (138) batting as the mainstay and bringing up partnerships with Rahul Dravid (39), Yuvraj Singh (56 not out) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (56).

The spirited Sri Lankan chase ended at 273 in the 46.4 overs with Harbhajan claiming five for 56.

The visitors got an attacking start through Tillakaratne Dilshan (42) and Sanath Jayasuriya (36), before India came back through Harbhajan's crucial strikes.

Thilina Kandamby (66) and Chamara Kapugedera (35) were out to make India bleed with a 70-run stand, pulling the home team back into the match from 182-6, thanks to some atrocious fielding by India.

They kept the home team fairly on target before Harbhajan once again came to the rescue to wrap up things. Suresh Raina broke the stand removing Kapugedera, and then Harbhajan took the wickets of Kandamby and Lasitha Malina off successive deliveries in the 45th over. He got the last man Ajantha Mendis out in his next over.

This was India's third successive series victory in Sri Lanka, having beaten the island nation in two bilateral ODI series earlier.

India also maintained their overall winning streak, emerging triumphant in their last six ODI series.

Less than two days after their batting collapsed to go down to Sri Lanka in a league match here, Indian batsmen came up with an impressive show.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was quick to opt for batting after winning the toss.

Dinesh Karthik, who opened the innings in the first two matches, was replaced with Virat Kohli and in the absence of a suitable partner for Tendulkar, veteran Rahul Dravid was promoted to the opening slot and he sure fitted the bill.

The two added 91 runs for the opening stand with Dravid (39), making a comeback to ODIs after two years, comfortably donning the role of a second foil.