India won by 5 wickets, levelling the series 1-1, with one to play.
India came back strongly with Zaheer Khan's opening burst leaving Sri Lanka's top order in tatters... a part of their game the SL batsmen have to address in order to make a strong showing at the World Cup.
Still, it was good to see the middle-order show some fight and end up scoring 230 which was just about defensible on a two-paced pitch. A few years ago, being 4 down for a handful would have been considered just cause for totalling 110 or thereabouts but Russel Arnold justified the selectors faith in him for the World Cup by scoring 66* and managing the last 25 overs or so, like he used to do sometime ago.
Sri Lanka had their chances (with India 94/4) - and with Vaas and Muralitharan in the side, 230 would probably have been a winning score. Dilhara Fernando took a few wickets at the top, but the bowling lacked depth to deal with Dravid and Dhoni, both of whom played solid innings to take India home.
The second string bowling will have to improve - and quickly; Kulasekera seems to lack the pace to trouble top class batsmen and Dilshan tends to be expensive.
Still, SL has a got a positive to take out of this match - the fight they showed; it's just that you can't expect to win matches after digging yourself into a hole, all the time.
Scores: Cricinfo
Bulletin: Cricinfo
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