Jayasuriya hit his 10th half-century against India

He was well supported by the part-time off-spin of Virender Sehwag, who conceded just 32 runs in 10 overs.

And India could well consider bringing Anil Kumble, omitted from the line-up on Sunday, back for the new match after a disappointing showing from their seamers.

Openers Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu began confidently having chosen to bat first, adding 65 runs.

Javagal Srinath - freshly arrived from England and wearing a shirt bearing Kumble's name - conceded 36 in his first five-over spell.

But the arrival of Harbhajan brought immediate results, Atapattu gaining a leading edge to a juggling Agit Agarkar at short midwicket as he looked to hit out.

The dismissal, and the relaxing of fielding restrictions, put the brakes on the Sri Lankan innings.

Sangakkara got off the mark in style, with two fours off Agarkar.

But those were the final boundaries for almost 10 overs, as some cramping off-spin forced the second wicket pair to milk singles in adding 90.

Cavalier

Jayasuriya took 89 deliveries over his 74 but began to feel the effects of the heat as the innings wore on.

Harbhajan took three wickets and a spectacular catch

And the re-introduction of Agarkar brought the breakthrough, thanks to a wonderful running catch by Harbhajan after Jayasuriya misjudged a slower ball.

Aravinda de Silva could only manage 18 and Sangakkara perished to a cavalier reverse sweep, shortly after reaching his half-century from 86 deliveries.

Sachin Tendulkar's diving return catch to dismiss Mahela Jayawardene made up for two earlier drops before Russel Arnold and Chaminda Vaas added an unbeaten 32 in the final 26 balls.

Dinesh Mongia was moved up the order to open the batting for India, in place of captain Sourav Ganguly.

But it was Sehwag who got things going in his usual style, gaining three boundaries in the second over before the rain began.

India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Javagal Srinath.

Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas, Kumar Dharmasena, Pulasti Gunaratne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando.

Umpires: Steve Bucknor and David Shepherd
Third umpire: Daryl Harper
Match referee: Clive Lloyd