Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India to a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Karachi to secure their place in the final of the Asia Cup.

Dhoni hit 67 from 62 deliveries in the Super Four match, while Suresh Raina provided decent support with 54, as India capitalised on a good start by Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, the opening batsmen who scored 68 and 42 respectively.

Sri Lanka had earlier set a target of 308 for eight, thanks to Chamara Kapugedera's 75, fifties from Mahela Jayawardene and Chamara Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya's 43. India overhauled that target in 46.5 overs, with Yuvraj Sing, who hit 36, and Rohit Sharma supplying the finishing touches.

India's win renders today's match between Pakistan and Bangladesh inconsequential as the host side have no chance of making the final. Sri Lanka, who had topped the Super Four table with six points prior to this defeat, had already qualified.

India's bowlers turned in a much-improved performance, with Ishant Sharma picking up early wickets, but shoddy fielding and Kapugedera's fine innings helped Sri Lanka to a challenging total.

Sehwag and Gambhir set about the chase briskly, bringing up India's 50 in only 39 deliveries. Dilhara Fernando, one of two additions made to the Sri Lanka side, in particular, was subject to some hard hitting as he conceded 28 runs in his first three overs.

The departure of Sehwag gave Sri Lanka some respite, but Raina quickly found his rhythm and added 42 runs for the second wicket with Gambhir. But as with Sehwag's dismissal, the scoring rate dipped marginally after Gambhir's departure.

Dhoni then took up the chase and eased to a half-century - his second in as many days - off 49 deliveries. By the time he departed, India had victory within their grasp.

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