MUMBAI, India (AFP) — Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed his sixth century this year to give Sri Lanka a solid start in the crucial third and final Test against India here yesterday.

Dilshan made 109 as Sri Lanka, seeking a win to draw the series 1-1, battled a wicket with turn and bounce to pile up 366-8 by close of the opening day’s play at the Brabourne stadium.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews returned unbeaten on a career-best 86 as the tourists grabbed the chance to have first strike for the only time in the series after skipper Kumar Sangakkara called correctly.

India, who won the second Test in Kanpur by an innings and 144 runs after the first match in Ahmedabad ended in a high-scoring draw, will dislodge South Africa as the top-ranked Test side if they win the series 2-0.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh picked up four wickets and left-arm slow bowler Pragyan Ojha two as the vintage stadium, hosting a Test after 36 years, laid out a sporting wicket to provide an absorbing day’s cricket.

Dilshan, 33, dominated the day with 10 boundaries and two sixes in his 11th career Test century and the second in the series after making 112 at Ahmedabad.

“This is a very good Test wicket,” said Dilshan. “There is something there for both batsmen and bowlers. It is not easy to bat on because of the bounce and turn.

“This is definitely one of my better innings, much better than the one in Ahmedabad because that was on a flat wicket.

“Our aim is to get 400 and put pressure on India. These conditions should suit Murali (Muttiah Muralitharan),” said Dilshan.

Dilshan anchored the innings superbly after a first-wicket stand of 93 in 20 overs with left-handed Tharanga Paranavitana, who made his highest score in the series of 53.

Harbhajan broke through 25 minutes before lunch when he forced Paranavitana to edge a catch to Rahul Dravid at first slip.

India hit back in the afternoon session with three quick wickets as Sri Lanka slumped from the lunch score of 117-1 to 213-4 by tea.

Sangakkara had scored 18 when he was caught down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Ojha.

Scoreboard

Sri Lanka 1st innings:

T Paranavitana c Dravid b Harbhajan 53

T Dilshan c Vijay b Harbhajan 109

K Sangakkara c Dhoni b Ojha 18

M Jayawardene c Sehwag b Sreesanth 29

T Samaraweera c Vijay b Harbhajan 1

A Mathews not out 86

P Jayawardene c Harbhajan b Ojha 43

N Kulasekara c Dhoni b Zaheer 12

R Herath c Dravid b Harbhajan 1

M Muralitharan not out 0

Extras: (b4, lb4, nb4, w2) 14

Total (for 8 wkts, 89 overs) 366

To bat: Chanaka Welegedara

Fall of wickets: 1-93 (Paranavitana), 2-128 (Sangakkara), 3-187 (M Jayawardene), 4-188 (Samaraweera), 5-262 (Dilshan), 6-329 (P Jayawardene), 7-359 (Kulasekara), 8-362 (Herath)

Bowling: Zaheer 19-2-70-1 (nb4, w1), Sreesanth 14-1-66-1 (w1), Harbhajan 29-2-107-4, Ojha 23-1-97-2, Yuvraj 4-0-18-0

Toss: Sri Lanka

Umpires: Nigel Llong (ENG) and Daryl Harper (AUS)

TV umpire: Shavir Tarapore (IND)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)