Despite having first lease of a track that held no demons, India could manage only 249 in their first innings in the Third and final test with Sri Lanka and this too, thanks to a stubborn last wicket partnership of 51 between Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan.

India got after to a flyer after Anil Kumble won the toss at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, but debutant Dhammika Prasad took three wickets, that of Virendra Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid to pull Sri Lanka back into the game.

Thereafter the spin duo of Muttiah Muralitharan (2 wickets) and the amazing Ajantha Mendis (5 wickets) put the finishing touches bar of course the 10th wicket stand, which equalled the highest partnership in the innings.

India struck back when Malinda Warnapura was bowled by Sharma for 8, but the Sri Lanka remained ahead at the end of Day One.