Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh turned the ball prodigiously as his three-wicket haul helped India skittle out Sri Lanka for 212 runs in 46.2 overs in the crucial fourth one-dayer to clinch the series 3-1 after a 46-run win at the R Premadasa in Colombo last night.
In reply to India's 258 in 49.4 overs, the hosts were off to a very poor start but opener Sanath Jayasuriya scored 60 out of the first 74 runs scored in the chase.
Jayasuriya slammed eight boundaries and two sixes in his 52-ball mayhem but once he top-edged a Harbhajan delivery to the hands of Suresh Raina, the Lankans were in deep trouble.
Harbhajan went on to remove Tillakaratne Dilshan (12) and Nuwan Kulasekara (12) in his 10-over spell.
Thilan Thushara was the next top-scorer for the hosts as he scored 38 in the end.
Earlier, Raina and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit half-centuries as India posted a competitive total despite a late collapse.
India lost seven wickets for 34 runs in the last nine overs, with left-arm seamer Thushara finishing with 5-45 for his maiden five-wicket haul.
After losing the first one-dayer, the tourists fought back with courage to win the next three, including yesterday's game, to clinch the series.
The last match will take place on Friday.