Colombo: Gritty unbeaten knocks by Thilan Thushara (54) and Jehan Mubarak (47) down the order helped Sri Lanka reach 227 for six against India in the fifth and final cricket one-dayer here today.


Sri Lanka were gasping for breath at 133 for six when the two joined hands and mauled the Indian attack to lend some sort of respectability to the hosts' total with a sterling unbeaten 94-run stand off just 78 balls.


Relieved to have finally won the toss, Mahela Jayawardene didn't hesitate to opt for bat but the home side received a rude jolt in the second over when run-machine Sanath Jayasuriya (1) perished, much to the dejection of the crowd at the Premadasa Stadium.


The 39-year old, slashed at a Zaheer Khan delivery only to see the top edge flying to Pragyan Ojha at third man.


Malinda Warnapura (30) and the new man Mahela Udawatte (43) then tried hard to consolidate the innings but runs proved hard to come by. In fact, the first 10 overs produced only 28 runs and the pressure started mounting on the batsmen.


Warnapura was lucky to be dropped by Rohit Sharma at cover point even though it was a tough chance, while Udawatte gained in confidence as he smashed a Zaheer delivery through the cover.


Despite best of their efforts, Sri Lanka's 50 runs came in 79 balls before both decided to up the tempo.


Zaheer gave away 33 runs in his first spell of seven overs even though Munaf Patel was more economical, conceding just 15 runs in his six-over spell.


The Indians then fought back with Irfan Pathan inducing a top edge from Warnapura with Gautam Gambhir running back from cover to take a well judged catch.


Brief scores: Sri Lanka 227 for 6 in 50 overs (Thilan Thushara not out 54; Jehan Mubarak 47 not out; Pragyan Ojha 2/28; Irfan Pathan 2/52).