India once again wilted against quality pace bowling as Sri Lanka defeated it by 51 runs in the eighth match of the one-day Tri-series at the Gabba in Brisbane Tuesday. India, which was shot out for 178 by the Australian pace battery during a 110-run loss at the same venue Sunday, was all out for 238 in 45.1 overs against Sri Lanka, chasing 290 for victory. Nuwan Kulasekara picked up three wickets, including Gautam Gambhir (29) and Sachin Tendulkar (22), while Thisara Perera cleaned up at the end with four wickets. Lasith Malinga took two, while the remaining wicket went to paceman Farveez Maharoof. India, the 50-over world champion, got off to a dreadful start, losing its top three batsmen with just 54 on the board. Virender Sehwag, who led India in the absence of the banned Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was caught at third man off the second delivery of the innings, while Tendulkar's wait for his 100th ton was prolonged after he played Kulasekara on to his stumps. India tried to rebuild with a 92-run stand for the fourth wicket between Virat Kohli (66), who was dropped twice by Dinesh Chandimal, and Suresh Raina (32) but it was never enough. Irfan Pathan (47) played an entertaining late cameo to deny Sri Lanka a bonus point before India was all out on the first delivery of the 46th over. Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) and Mahela Jayawardene (45) gave Sri Lanka an ideal start with a 95-run opening stand after it won the toss and opted to bat. Sri Lanka lost three quick wickets during the middle overs and needed some assault by Lahiru Thirimanne (62) and all-rounder Angelo Mathews (49 not out) to get to 289-6 from its 50 overs. Captain Jayawardene was out to a superb diving catch by his Indian counterpart Virender Sehwag off left-arm seamer Pathan before Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara (8) departed in quick succession. Left-handed Thirimanne added 71 for the fourth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (38) and combined in another 49-run stand with Mathews, who hit four boundaries and a six during his 37-ball knock, as Sri Lanka garnered 91 runs from their last 10 overs. India withdrew a run out appeal against Thirimanne in the 40th over after Ravichandran Ashwin had removed the bails at the non-striker's end while the batsman had backed out of the crease during the delivery. Table toppers Australia will play second-placed Sri Lanka in the ninth match of the Tri-series at Hobart Friday.
