Images: India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, Nagpur

Sri Lanka got off to a rousing start in the second One-Day International against India at Nagpur on Friday, dismissing Virender Sehwag early.

The dashing opener, who hit a cracking century in the previous match, started off in style, hitting a wide delivery from Chanaka Welegedara through point for a boundary. However, he fell three deliveries later attempting a similar shot, but this time edged it behind and was caught by wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara for four.

After Gautam Gambhir failed for the second match in a row, run-out for two, it was left to Sachin Tendulkar to lift the Indian innings.

The ace batsman looked well-set for a big score till he decided to attack Ajantha Mendis. He stepped down the wicket but missed, and was stumped by Sangakkara.

He was out after a brisk 43, inclusive of four boundaries, off 52 balls, having added 62 runs in 12.4 overs for the third wicket with Virat Kohli.

Young Virat Kohli, promoted to No 4, gained in confidence with every delivery he faced. The Delhi batsman got off the mark with a boundary, flicking Angelo Mathews through fine leg in the sixth over. He completed a half-century off 57 deliveries with a double straight down the ground off debutant off-spinner Suraj Randiv, as India gathered 125 for three in 25 overs, which included 83 dot deliveries.

However, the Delhi batsman did not last long. He was trapped leg before after shuffling across his stumps and attempting to play Randiv on the leg side.

He scored 54 from 65 deliveries, inclusive of seven boundaries, helping India recover after the loss of those early wickets.

Suresh Raina gave the Indian innings much-needed momentum, smashing 68 from 55 deliveries, inclusive of three sixes and four boundaries, before he was caught at midwicket off Angelo Mathews.

He and Mahendra Singh Dhoni made most of the Batting Powerplay, taken after 40 overs, putting on 126 runs in 19.5 overs for the fifth wicket.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored his second straight hundred at the VCA stadium as India post a huge 301 for seven in their 50 overs.

India's captain, who got three let-offs, smashed 107 from 111 deliveries, including eight boundaries and two sixes, before he was caught at square leg off debutant off-spinner Randiv.

In his previous match at the venue in October, he had slammed a quickfire 124 as India outclassed Australia by 99 runs.

Dhoni started off steadily before unleashing his powerful array of strokes towards the end, especially in the final overs that saw India gather 102 runs in the last ten.

Sri Lanka's in-form captain Kumar Sangakkara also looked in good touch as he scored 21 from 22 deliveries before he was run-out in the 22nd over against the run of play after a misunderstanding with T Dilshan.

Sangakkara had earlier pulled a short delivery from Zaheer Khan for his first boundary in the 16th over. He got his second boundary by lifting Harbhajan wide of long-off as Sri Lanka scored 133 for 1 after 18 overs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed his second century in a row to keep Sri Lanka in the hunt. He led the charge as he smashed 120 from 109, inclusive of 12 boundaries and two sixes, as Sri Lanka put up 209 for 2 in 35 overs.

Dilshan was in punishing form right from the start as he added 102 runs for the opening wicket with Tharanga, who made 37 from 42 deliveries, before he was taken by Virender Sehwag at first slip off Harbhajan.

Young all-rounder Angelo Mathews kept his cool in the final moments of the match and scored a composed 37 from 25 deliveries, inclusive of four boundaries, as Sri Lanka levelled the five-match series 1-1.

Sri Lanka posted 302 for seven in 49.1 overs in reply to India's 301 for seven.

The teams now head to Cuttack for the third match on Monday, December 21