India spinners seal emphatic Test win over Sri Lanka

Harbhajan Singh ended up with figures of 3-98

India earned their 100th Test victory by comprehensively beating Sri Lanka by an innings and 144 runs in Kanpur.

The margin was India's biggest over Sri Lanka, surpassing the previous best of an innings and 119 runs in 1994.

Resuming on 57-4, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 269 before tea with only Thilan Samaraweera offering any resistance, finishing unbeaten on 78.

The crushing win puts India 1-0 ahead in the series, with the third and final Test taking place in Mumbai next week.

Paceman Zaheer Khan got the hosts off to the perfect start on the fourth day, taking the wicket of all-rounder Angelo Mathews for 15 in the second over.

Prasanna Jayawardene added 61 runs for the sixth wicket with Samaraweera before off-spinner Harbhajan Singh bowled him for 29.

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Harbhajan also trapped Rangana Herath leg before wicket for 13 while Muttiah Muralitharan, who scored 29 off 11 deliveries, fell to spinner Pragyan Ojha.

Samaraweera, the only Sri Lankan batsman to score a half century in the match, then forged another partnership with Ajantha Mendis - the eighth wicket duo putting on 73 - before Yuvraj Singh bowled Mendis for 27.

Ojha then caught and bowled last man Chanaka Welegedara, the wicket sparking wild celebrations.

"It is a moment of pride for me and the whole team to be a part of this 100th win," said Indian captain Mahendra Dhoni.

Dhoni was delighted with the performance of paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, who was named man of the match after picking up 5-75 in the first innings and finishing with 6-122.

"The changes in the side brought in some fresh legs, Sreesanth was fantastic and he used the reverse swing very effectively," added Dhoni.

"The amount of runs we scored on the first day were very important, putting pressure on the Sri Lanka batting side.

"It was important to get some big momentum on our side going into the final Test match. I'm sure the wickets are going to be something different for the fast bowlers and the spinners so let's hope for some exciting cricket."

Meanwhile, Dhoni's counterpart Kumar Sangakkara insisted his side could bounce back and level the series, saying: "Every Test match offers an opportunity to come back.

"The team is hurting right now, they are disappointed with themselves, but we're mentally pretty strong and we want to come back and win the Test match."