I'm very pleased with our performance in the one and a half days we got to play Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody

India were bowled out for their lowest Test score against Sri Lanka before the rain-ruined series opener in Madras (Chennai) ended in an inevitable draw.

The home side lost eight wickets for 77 runs as they were dismissed for 167.

Chaminda Vaas was Sri Lanka's star performer, taking 4-20 from 21 overs, and he now needs only two wickets to reach 300 in Tests.

Mahela Jayawardene made a bright and breezy 71 in the final session before the game ended with Sri Lanka on 168-4.

With the first three days washed out, and only 32.3 overs possible on Monday, there was no possibility of a positive outcome in favour of either side.

But for Indian supporters inside the Chidambaram Stadium for the start of the morning session, there was the prospect of seeing Sachin Tendulkar try to reach a record 35th Test century.

Their hopes were dashed, however, when Tendulkar fell lbw to Muttiah Muralitharan on 22, having already lost overnight partner Rahul Dravid (32), who was caught behind off Vaas in the fifth over.

Once Tendulkar had departed with the total on 108, Vaas and his team-mates met with little resistance.

VVS Laxman and former India skipper Sourav Ganguly managed only five runs each, the latter taken low at point by Tillkaratne Dilshan from the bowling of paceman Dilhara Fernando.

Sourav Ganguly's innings was cut short after half an hour

And Irfan Pathan lasted only four deliveries without scoring before he gave a return catch to Muralitharan.

Ajit Agarkar was run out for four, beaten by Avishka Gunawardene's return to the keeper, as India went in to lunch on 153-8.

It took Sri Lanka only 4.2 overs to wrap things up following the re-start as Anil Kumble was caught and bowled by Vaas for nine and debutant Mahendra Dhoni became leg-spinner Malinga Bandara's first victim for 30.

With nothing but batting practice in store for the remainder of the day, Sri Lanka began badly in reply when Gunawardene nicked a ball from Pathan and was caught behind for four.

Kumar Sangakkara and Jayawardene added 57 in 14 overs for the second wicket before the former was lbw to Kumble for 30.

Jayawardene lifted the tempo after tea and he struck a six and 16 fours in his 80-ball innings before he was caught off Kumble by Gautam Gambhir.

Kumble (3-41) also bowled Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu for seven but a halt was called once Sri Lanka had passed India's score, with Thilan Samaraweera 35 not out and Dilshan on eight.

The second Test in Delhi begins on Saturday.