India beat Sri Lanka by 46 runs, win series

India on Wednesday night recorded their first-ever bilateral ODI series triumph against Sri Lanka [Images] in their backyard as they spanked the hosts by 46 runs in the fourth cricket one-dayer in Colombo on Wednesday to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

After putting a competitive target of 259 before the Lankans, Indian bowlers skittled out the hosts for 212 in 46.3 overs.

India captain Mahendra Dhoni continued his fine form, hitting 71 and putting on 143 from 141 balls with Suresh Raina (76) as India were all out for 258.

Left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara took a career-best 5-47 for Sri Lanka.

But despite a blistering 60 from the veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's batsmen were dismissed for 212.

For India it was Munaf Patel who make early inroads in Sri Lanka innings as they picked up M.Waranpura (0 runs) and K.Sangkara (6 runs). It was S.Jayasurya (60 runs of 52 balls) and T.Tushara (40 runs of 29 balls) who showed some fight but rest of the batsman failed to help their team to achieve the target and stay alive in the series.

The touring side's batsmen had encountered far less trouble against Sri Lanka's spinners, who had been so successful in the Test series.

vetereran Sri Lanka seamer Chaminda Vaas, in his 322nd ODI, joined three other bowlers who to take 400 wickets - Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Muralitharan.

But that was scant consolation for the World Cup finalists, whose one-day form has clearly become a concern.

Now Sri Lanka has lost two consecutive ODI series at home, one against England and now India. On the other hand India is improving their away series record and improving their ODI ranking.

S.Raina was declared Man of the Match for his superb knock of 76 runs.