Five-wicket hero Ajantha Mendis appeals to the umpire in Colombo

Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis claimed another five-wicket haul as they bowled India out for 249 on the first day of the third Test.

With the series poised at 1-1 going into the final match, Sri Lanka have the advantage thanks to Dammika Prasad (3-82) and the brilliant Mendis (5-56).

Gautam Gambhir top scored for India with 72 after they won the toss and decided to bat in Colombo.

Ishant Sharma clean bowled Malinda Warnapura to leave the hosts on 14-1.

India began well after Anil Kumble put his team in, with Gambhir and Virender Sehwag racing to 50 without loss in just seven overs.

606: DEBATE Mendis is an exceptional talent, but the Indians have simply not batted well SwingBowler

Saurav Ganguly hit 35 in quick time as he took the game to Sri Lanka, but Muttiah Muralitharan (2-58) had him caught by Mahela Jayawardene, before Mendis weaved his magic.

He had Gambhir lbw and VVS Laxman (25) stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene as India reached tea on 190-6.

They collapsed after tea when Mendis got rid of Partiv Patel and Kumble in the first over of the evening session, before spin partner Muralitharan did for Harbhajan Singh.

Sharma (17 not out) and Zaheer Khan (32) frustrated the hosts by putting on 51 for the 10th wicket before Mendis lured Zaheer out of his crease and he was stumped.

There was time for eight overs in Sri Lanka's reply, with Sharma shattering Warnapura's stumps to leave the match more evenly poised.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have recalled fast bowlers Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof for the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next month.

Fernando returns after recovering from a leg injury and Maharoof has recovered from a side strain, although the selectors have decided he should not be rushed back for the India series.

All rounder Kaushal Weeraratne will replace Maharoof for the five-match one-day series against India which starts in Dambulla on 18 August.

Squad for ICC Champions Trophy: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Mahela Udawatte, Dilhara Fernando, Jehan Mubarak.

Squad for India one-day series: Jayawardene (captain), Jayasuriya, Sangakkara, Kapugedera, Silva, Dilshan, Vaas, Weeraratne, Thushara, Kulasekera, Muralitharan, Mendis, Udawatte, Fernando.