India edge thrilling one-dayer

India secured a three-run victory in a thrilling finish to the first one-day international against Sri Lanka in Rajkot.

Virender Sehwag hammered 146 off 102 deliveries and featured in century partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar (69) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (72) as India finished on 414 for seven.

Sri Lanka replied in similar style with Tillakaratne Dilshan smashing 160 and contributing to substantial stands with Upul Tharanga (67) and Kumar Sangakkara (90). Thilina Kandamby (24) and Angelo Mathews (38) got Sri Lanka close, but the home side sneaked to victory by restricting the visitors to 411 for eight.

South Africa hold the record for the highest successful run chase, scoring 438 for nine in reply to Australia's 434 in Johannesburg in March 2006.

Sri Lanka's response was just as brutal as India's innings had been earlier as Dilshan and Tharanga kept pace with the required run rate. The visitors put on 188 for the opening wicket before Tharanga was stumped by Dhoni off part-time spinner Suresh Raina.

Sangakkara was dropped by Harbhajan Singh on 58 and went on to add 128 for the second wicket until he mistimed a pull off Praveen Kumar and ended up presenting Ravindra Jadeja at deep square leg with a simple catch.

Sri Lanka needed a further 99 from 81 deliveries at that stage, but Harbhajan, who had conceded only 17 from his first five overs, removed Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilshan in quick succession to bring India back into contention.

Mahela Jayawardene was run out cheaply, but Kandamby and Mathews put the chase back on track with a 56-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Kandamby was then run out and Thilan Samaraweera followed him back to the pavilion, leaving Sri Lanka needing 11 off the last over. Ashish Nehra conceded only seven and claimed the wicket of Mathews as Sri Lanka fell agonisingly short.

In the morning, India slipped from 309 for one to 352 for six - but Virat Kohli (27) and Jadeja (30 not out) scored what proved to be vital runs down the order.