Dinda, Pathan, Kohli Star in an Easy Win

Pallekele: Chasing 156 to win, Sri Lanka folded for 116 in the 18th over with Ashok Dinda (4-19) and Irfan Pathan (3-27) doing the bulk of the damage.

Seamier Ashok Dinda takes three wickets in 18th over of the match, he dismissed Dinesh Chandimal (7), debutant Shaminda Eranga (6) and Lasith Malinga on duck without spent a run

Jeevan Mendis was the sixth batsman to fall just after Sri Lanka reached 100-run mark. Mendis' dismissal followed the wicket of danger man Angelo Mathews (31) who was dismissed by Ashok Dinda. Mathew shared 28-rusn stand for the fifth wicket after the dismissal of Lahiru Thirimanne.

Spinner R Ashwin bowled out Lahiru Thirimanne to give Sri Lanka fourth blow in the 10th over. Thirimanne's dismissal reduced Sri Lanka to 68/4.

Irfan Pathan derailed Sri Lankan chase as he dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene in quick succession and build the pressor.

Pathan bowled out Dilshan (0) in the first over and then sent back Tharanga (5) in the third to reduce Sri Lanka to 18/2.

Jayawardene tried to rescue his side with some fiery strokes but Pathan struck again in the fifth over to end his challenge.

Earlier, Mahela Jayawardene sent to bat Kohli scored 68 off 48 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and a six. The batsman, who is in superb his form, came to bat after early dismissal of opener Gautam Gambhir in the second over.

Shaminda Eranga bowled out opener Gautam Gambhir to give India the first blow after visitors were invited to bat.

Gambhir (6) was bowled out by Eranga on the fifth deliver of the second over with scorecard reading just 7.

Kohli then rescued the side from the early blow and shared 74-run stand for the second wicket with Ajinkya Rahane who made 21.

Rahane was the second Indian batsman to fall. He was dismissed by Jeevan Mendis.

Kohli's dismissal came in the 17 th over. Eranga struck again to get rid of Kohli after his fine show.

Raina remained unbeaten on 34 off 25 balls, while MS Dhoni not out on 16.

Brief scores
India 155 for 3 (Kohli 68, Raina 34*, Eranga 2-30)
Sri Lanka 116 (Mathews 31, Dinda 4-19, Pathan 3-27)
Result India won by 39 runs
MOM Irfan Pathan (India)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

Related links

India Tour of Sri Lanka 2012 News

Dinda, Pathan, Kohli Star in an Easy Win [+]

Chasing 156 to win, Sri Lanka folded for 116 in the 18th over with Dinda (4-19) and Pathan (3-27) doing the bulk of the damage.

Sehwag, Zaheer Misses T20, Return NCA [+]

Virender Sehwag missed the final ODI due to a glute problem and has returned to India. Zaheer Khan has also headed back, to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

India Look High Finish in T20 [+]

The world number two ranking clinched following a dominating 4-1 triumph in ODIs, India will now look to stamp their authority against Sri Lanka in the only Twenty20 international on Tuesday at Pallekele.

Irfan Five Helps India in 4-1 Win [+]

India defeated hosts Sri Lanka by 20 runs in the final tie of the 5-match ODI series and clinched the series 4-1 at the Pallekele in the final ODI on Saturday. India rise to 2nd in the ODI ranking.

India Opt to Bat; Viru, Mahela Rested [+]

India have won the toss and elected to bat in 5th ODI against Sri Lanka at Pallekele on Saturday.

India Aim Winning Finish Against Lanka [+]

With the series under their belt, a confident India will look to continue their dominating run and complete a 4-1 drubbing over Sri Lanka in the final ODI.

400th ODI Victory for Team India [+]

India notched up their 400th ODI victory when they thrashed Sri Lanka by six wickets in the fourth ODI of 5-match series at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Kohli, Raina Seal Series for India [+]

Virat Kohli slammed a brilliant century to help India seal 5-match ODI series with a sensational six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the 4th match on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka Opt to Bat; Thirimanne in [+]

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat. India will look to continue their recent dominance against Sri Lanka and wrap up the series by winning the 4th ODI.

India Looks to Seal The Series [+]

India would look to seal the series when they take on gritty Sri Lanka in the fourth and penultimate ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.