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Yuvraj's innings was the saving grace
Ajantha Mendis took six wickets for 67 runs as the famed Indian batting line-up struggled despite Yuvraj Singh's brisk century and Gautam Gambhir's 89 on Day 2 in the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Board President's XI, at the Colts Cricket Club Ground, in Colombo, on Wednesday.
Yuvraj counter-attacked with a smashing innings of 118 from 146 balls, inclusive of 11 boundaries and six sixes, before he was bowled by Sachithra Senanayake.
Replying to the home team's mammoth first innings total of 514 for nine declared, the Indians were bundled out for 291 at the fag end of the day.
Gambhir too looked in good touch
Gambhir was the other Indian batsman to make a sizeable contribution, scoring 89 from 134 balls. He added 143 runs for the fifth wicket with Yuvraj before he was dismissed by Mendis.
It was a poor show by the Indian batsmen against Sri Lanka's second string bowlers. Virender Sehwag (18) and Rahul Dravid (11), Sachin Tendulkar (4) and VVS Laxman (6) also fell cheaply.
Mendis spins his magic
Left-arm pacer Chanaka Welegedara shocked the Indians early with the wickets of Sehwag (18) and Dravid (11), who were both bowled.
Mendis then began weaving his spin magic and his first victim was Sachin Tendulkar (4), who fell leg before.
The stylish VVS Laxman arrived at the crease but his stay was cut short as Mendis, who had him caught by Prassana Jayawardene behind the wicket, leaving India tottering at 80 for four.
Gambhir, who was holding one end brilliantly, found an able ally in Yuvraj and the two left-handers rescued India with their terrific partnership.
Mendis was at it again as he separated the pair by scalping Gambhir.
Mendis then quickly wrapped up the innings by sending back Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha.
Ojha was the Indians' most successful bowler
Earlier, Pragyan Ojha took five for 153 to emerge the most successful Indian bowler, while Amit Mishra claimed two for 125.
Dinesh Chandimal finished unbeaten on 47 from 71 balls, as the hosts lost their last four wickets for 46 runs before declaring their first innings.
Upul Tharanga (110), Thilan Samaraweera (102), Thilan Kandamby (101) hit centuries on the opening day to punish a second-string Indian bowling line-up, missing all their frontline bowlers.