Scorecard
Chandimal was run out trying to steal a cheeky single in the 38th over after he completed his fifth ODI fifty to revive Sri Lanka innings. The right-hander hit a six and six boundaries in his brilliant 91 balls knock.
Pacer Vinay Kumar trapped Jayawardene leg before to provide India a crucial breakthrough as he ended dangerous-looking 94-run fourth wicket partnership between Jayawardene and Chandimal.
Jayawardene played a vigilant but smart innings of 43 off 49 balls with just two boundaries before Vinay Kumar dismissed him.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin got better of patient Kumar Sangakkara (31) as Sri Lanka lost their third wicket with just 79 on board in 19.4 overs.
After losing two early wickets, Sangakkara revived the Lankan innings with Dinesh Chandimal as the duo added valuable 51-run for the third wicket. Sanga played a watchful innings of 31 off 56 balls, hitting just two boundaries.
India pacers Irfan Pathan and Vinay Kumar struck early to put India in front on Tuesday.
Comeback pacer Pathan dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan (16) in the eighth over to reduce Lanka to 28/2 in 7.1 overs.
Asked to field first, India got off to a great start as pacer Vinay Kumar dismissed Upal Tharanga for nought with the second ball of the match.
Earlier, Sri Lanka skipper Jayawardene won the toss and decided to bat against India as the islanders look to register their first victory in the tri-series.
Virender Sehwag has back trouble and made way for the return of Sachin Tendulkar, while paceman Zaheer Khan has an injured calf, allowing Irfan Pathan to make his first appearance at the tournament.
"In the previous matches, we left it for the lower order batsmen. Yeah, we should have finished the previous game in the 48th over. When you are chasing it is very important to take it to the end. Sehwag has a back spasm and is out, Zaheer has a problem with his right calf. Sachin returns, and Irfan is back," said Dhoni as India prepare to chase again for the fourth time in four matches.
Dhammika Prasad and Lahiru Thirimanne were left out of the Sri Lankan lineup, making way for Thisara Perera and Rangana Herath.
"We've been inconsistent with the bat, fielding there have been a few lapses but has been good overall. Dammika has a niggle, Thirimanne is out. Thisara and Herath picked," said Jayawardene after winning the toss.
Dhoni's men have got a shot in the arm after beating Sri Lanka and Australia in successive matches and their much in debate rotation policy has till now worked.
However Sri Lankan side won't be mere pushovers even though they haven't been able to register a single victory.
Twice in Perth, they had India and Australia on the ropes and just couldn't finish off the match. They allowed India to escape from 181 for 6 in the first match and needed only a hit to prevail over Australia.
It's a fair bet that the old firm of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka's best in batting could come good on the batting-friendly track of Adelaide Oval.
It could also turn out to be a battle of wits between captains Jayawardene and Dhoni. The Sri Lankan skipper is more of a gambler, attacking all the time and never taking his foot off the pedal even when the rival batsmen are on the go. He choked Australia the other night and could very well do the same against India.
Dhoni, on the other hand, prefers packing one side of the wicket with fielders and demanding a consistent line from his bowlers.
The Indian captain is more comfortable chasing a target than setting one and it wouldn't surprise many if he is seen chasing a target once again if situations favour his team.
In all the three matches so far, Indians have chased a total. In Melbourne, it cost them dear in a rain-curtailed match but in the next two games, it's been a happy ending.
It's fair to say that the batting is now shaping up nicely and could only get better from now on.
Teams
India: Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Ravinder Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Vinay Kumar, Irfan Pathan and Umesh Yadav.
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Sachithra Senanayake, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera and Rangana Herath.
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