BARODA, India, 1 February 2007 — Sachin Tendulkar smashed his 41st limited-overs century to spur India to a 180-run victory in yesterday’s fourth and final One-Day International against the West Indies, clinching the series 3-1.

Tendulkar benefited from two dropped catches during the last two overs before reaching his century off the final delivery, as India scored 341 for three from its 50 overs. India’s bowlers then bundled out the West Indies for 181 in 41.4 overs.

India’s series win avenged its 4-1 drubbing in last year’s limited-overs series during its tour of the Caribbean islands.

Tendulkar, whose last century also came against the West Indies during a September tri-series in Malaysia, got two lives — on 85 and 91 — but paced himself well in the final over from fast bowler Ian Bradshaw that fetched him 11 runs. Tendulkar reached his century with a brisk single to short mid-on off the last ball.

Lara at covers dropped him off seamer Rayad Emrit in the 49th over and Dwayne Smith saw the ball go though his hands to cross the square-leg boundary in the 50th.

Tendulkar struck one, six and nine boundaries in his 76-ball knock, which followed a half-century Saturday in the third one-dayer that marked his return to form after a string of unimpressive scores.

Boosting India’s run spree were Dravid (78) and opener Saurav Ganguly (68), who continued his impressive return to the one-day team after 16 months.

Tendulkar shared a rampant 118-run partnership off 112 deliveries for the third wicket with Dravid, who posted his 76th limited-overs half-century and the third of the current series.

Dravid dispatched the ball to the fence seven times off 109 deliveries. He was dismissed trying to clear the mid-on boundary off spinner Marlon Samuels, only to be caught by Lendl Simmons.

The West Indies were never in the contest after a tottering start saw its top batting order dismissed with just 83 runs on the board.

Devon Smith’s 24 was the only decent knock as Gayle (6), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (14), Lara (3) and Simmons (4) fell cheaply.

Samuels top-scored with a 62-ball 55 and added 65 runs for the sixth wicket with Ramdin (40).

“We were outplayed today,” said Lara, dejected to have lost what might be his last international match in India.

“India played very well,” he said. “We were competitive in the first three games, but not today.”

This was the last international fixture for the West Indies ahead of the World Cup in March and April. India will host Sri Lanka for four matches in February.