The rupee strengthened by 28 paise to a seven-week high of 61.45 against the dollar in late morning deals today on selling of the US currency by banks and exporters triggered by its weakness overseas. Good foreign capital inflows into equity market also boosted the rupee value against the dollar. The rupee resumed lower at 61.85 per dollar as against the yesterday's closing level of 61.73 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market on mild dollar demand from some banks.