India need 321 to win

Tillakaratne Dilshan missed a century by three runs as Sri Lanka posted a challenging 320-8 in the fifth and final one-day international against India here on Sunday.

The opener cracked nine fours in his 117-ball 97 to boost his side's hopes of recording a consolation win after four successive defeats. He put on 143 for the second wicket with Kumar Sangakkara.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara smashed one six and eight fours in his brisk 70-ball 84, his third successive half-century.

Sri Lanka were strongly placed at 255-2 in the 42nd over before India struck back with four wickets for just one run, with fast bowler Ishant Sharma taking two in one over.

Sharma bowled Thilina Kandamby (26) and had Chamara Kapugedera caught behind for no score to peg the hosts back. Dilshan was run out in the same over following a mix-up with skipper Mahela Jayawardene.

Sri Lanka's top order flourished for the first time in the series, with Dilshan, Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya (37) dominating the Indian attack on a batting wicket.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni used nine bowlers, including four part-timers, but failed to contain runs as Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayasuriya batted comfortably against pace and spin.

Jayasuriya exploded with a flurry of boundaries, pulling Sharma for three fours in an over. His cameo saw the hosts race to 66 off just 10 overs.
Jayasuriya, dropped on 19 by debutant Ravindra Jadeja at point off Irfan Pathan, eventually fell playing one shot too many. He was caught by Suresh Raina at mid-off off Pathan after hitting seven fours in his 35-ball knock.

Sangakkara looked in good touch from the beginning, firmly driving and cutting to find various parts of the boundary. He outscored Dilshan during their big stand with his exciting stroke-making.

The wicketkeeper-batsman fell immediately after hoisting part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh for six over long-on, caught by Rohit Sharma in the deep while attempting another big shot.

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