Tri-series: Listless India suffer 161-run thrashing by Sri Lanka

Handicapped by the absence of their inspirational captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India's tri-series campaign was thrown into disarray after a crushing 161-run defeat against Sri Lanka, who rode on Upul Tharanga's career-best 174 in Kingston.
India two last batsmen Ravindra Jadeja, left, and Umesh Yadav walk off the pitch after loosing to Sri Lanka in their Tri-Nation Series cricket match in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)

The Indians first allowed Sri Lanka to post a mammoth 348 for one, largely built around huge opening 213-run stand between Tharanga and experienced Mahela Jayawardene (107), and then were shot out for 187 in 44.5 overs to suffer their second successive defeat.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, second from left, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of India acting captain Virat Kohli was caught by Lasith Malinga for 2 runs during their Tri-Nation Series cricket match in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)

It was a completely listless show by the Indians, who gave away 180 runs in the last 16 overs and then batted poorly with only Ravindra Jadeja resisting the Lankan bowling well with an unbeaten 49.
Ravindra Jadeja drives a delivery off Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga during their Tri-Nation Series cricket match in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)

The Indians looked a pale shadow of themselves. Suresh Raina (33), Murali Vijay (30), Shikhar Dhawan (24) and Dinesh Karthik (22), all got starts but did not convert those into big knocks.
Shikhar Dhawan makes his grounds to avoid being run out during the Tri-Nation Series cricket match against Sri Lanka in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)

Rohit Sharma was the first to depart, caught by Mathews at short mid-wicket off Nuwan Kulasekara's bowling.
India opening batsman Rohit Sharma drives a ball to short midwicket to be caught out by Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews for 5 runs during their Tri-Nation Series cricket match in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)

While trying to break the shackles Dhawan found out Tharanga at deep midwicket off Rangana Herath (3/37), Kohli hooked a Mathews delivery straight to Lasith Malinga at fine-leg in the next over.
Sri Lanka bowler Rangana Herath celebrates after taking the wicket of India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who reacts in the background, during their Tri-Nation Series cricket match in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)

Malinga then went through Vijay's defence two overs later as India slumped to 70 for four after the end of 19 overs.
India's Umesh Yadav, avoids being run out by Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga during their Tri-Nation Series cricket match in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)

Earlier, Tharanga scored his runs off just 159 deliveries with the help of 19 boundaries and three hits over the fence. Jayawardene, on the other hand, faced 112 balls during his century knock. He hit nine fours and two sixes.
India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, right, plays a shot to be caught by Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga for 34 runs during their Tri-Nation Series cricket match in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)

Towards the end, captain Mathews played a 29-ball 49-run cameo to help help Sri Lanka get near the 350-run mark. He struck fours boundaries and one six in the process.
Sri Lanka bowler Nuwan Kulasekara, left, high fives with his captain Angelo Mathews after tacking the wicket of India opening batsman Rohit Sharma, who was caught by Mathews for 5 runs, during their Tri-Nation Series cricket match in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)

Shami Ahmed, who replaced Bhuveneshwar Kumar, and Umesh Yavad failed to derive any assistance from the low and slow Sabina Park wicket as the Sri Lankan opening duo milked the Indian attack to surge ahead.
Shami Ahmed bowls during the Tri-Nation Series cricket match against Sri Lanka in Kingston, Jamaica. Read Tri-series: Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga floor India in Kingston (AP)