DROPPED catches almost cost Sri Lanka before it clinched a vital 51-run one-day win over India at the Gabba last night. Virat Kohli (66) was dropped twice and Suresh Raina (32) once during an ominous 92-run, fourth-wicket stand before India was dismissed for 238 in the 46th over, chasing 290 for victory.

But a big talking point came in the Sri Lankan innings after India's Ravi Ashwin attempted a Mankad dismissal. He knocked off the bails as he came into bowl in the 40th over and appealed - with non-striker Lahiru Thirimanne (62) well out of his crease.  Thirimanne - then on 44 - looked unimpressed as umpires Paul Reiffel and Billy Bowden conferred with Indian captain Virender Sehwag.

Sachin Tendulkar walked over and suddenly India's appeal was withdrawn. Late hitting by Irfan Pathan (47) gave India some hope but it was not enough to stop it dropping to the bottom of the tri-series table with two games to play. Sri Lanka (11 points) overtook India (10) to trail leaders Australia (14) with three games to play, starting with Friday's clash with the home side in Hobart.

Thirimanne helped Sri Lanka post 6-289 off its 50 overs - a total that looked well beyond India when it was reduced to 1-0 after the second ball of the innings. Sehwag - returning from injury to fill in for suspended captain M.S. Dhoni - swiped at a wide ball and was caught at third man by Nuwan Kulasekara for a duck. Man-of-the-match Kulasekara (3-40) then inflicted more damage with the ball.

Tendulkar impressed with a 23-ball 22 before dragging Kulasekara onto his stumps trying to shoulder arms. And India was 3-54 in the 12th over when Kulasekara had Gautam Gambhir (29) caught behind. Kohli looked destined to be India's saviour after he was dropped on 14 and 32 - both times by a hapless Dinesh Chandimal. But his luck ran out when caught by that man Kulasekara off Thisara Perera (4-37) and India never really recovered. Earlier, Thirimanne hit six fours in a fighting 62-ball knock after Sri Lanka won the toss. Captain Mahela Jayawardene (45) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) ensured a flying start as Sri Lanka cruised to 0-95 by the 19th over.