India have registered their first Test series win on Sri Lankan soil in 22 years after defeating the hosts by 117 runs on the fifth day of the decisive third and final match to secure the series 2-1 in Colombo on Tuesday.
Chasing a daunting target of 386, Sri Lanka were reeling at 107-5 before skipper Angelo Mathews and debutant Kusal Perera provided solid resistance by constructing a defiant 135-run partnership for the sixth wicket at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Mathews (110) smashed his seventh Test century, while keeping the tourists wicketless for 38.1 overs before Perera (70) fell shortly before tea playing a reverse sweep shot off Ravichandran Ashwin's delivery.
Subsequently, Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 268 as they lost their last four wickets for mere 26 runs.
Off-spinner Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he claimed four wickets, while pace spearhead Ishant Sharma returned figures of 3-32.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who was playing as a stop-gap opener, was adjudged as the Man of the Match for his unbeaten knock of 145 in the first innings. He became the fourth Indian batsman in Test history to carry his bat through the innings.
Meanwhile, Ashwin was declared as the Man of the Series for taking 21 wickets in the entire series.
With the win, Virat Kohli won his first full-fledged series as captain.
Earlier, the three-match Test series was pegged at 1-1 after India claimed a 278-run win in the second match at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo. Sri Lanka won the opening Test match in Galle by 63 runs.
