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A fine attacking century from Tillakaratne Dilshan overshadowed an equally impressive effort from Mahendra Singh Dhoni as Sri Lanka defeated India by three wickets in the second one-dayer in Nagpur.

Dhoni's 107, along with half-centuries from Virat Kohli (54) and Suresh Raina (68), had propelled India to a challenging 301 for seven but Sri Lanka snuck over the line with five balls to go to level the series 1-1 after the run-fest in Rajkot.

Dilshan had kept the visitors on course with a scorching 123 at the top lf the order but Sri Lanka again lost wickets quickly after his departure, making for a close finish.

Angelo Mathews (37 not out), hampered by a thigh injury and having to use a runner, held firm with a dashing knock as Sri Lanka overhauled the target in the last over.

Dhoni's decision to bat first looked to have backfired when Sehwag went cheaply, caught behind by Kumar Sangakkara in the first over from left-arm paceman Chanaka Welegedara.

Gautam Gambhir was then run out in unfortunate circumstances, colliding with Welegedara while attempting a single off the bowler and being caught short at the non-striker's end.

At 19 for two, India were in a spot of bother, but the home side recovered nicely through Sachin Tendulkar (43) and Kohli.

Tendulkar's stay was circumspect as he focused on rebuilding and he put on 62 for the third wicket with Kohli when he was removed by Ajantha Mendis.

Kohli, who initially dealt primarily in boundaries, played a steady knock thereafter, adding 51 with Dhoni in the process.

But just when India were beginning to break the shackles, debutant off-spinner Suraj Randhiv trapped Kohli in front, claiming him for his first wicket in international cricket.

Left-hander Raina joined his captain at the crease and, after a cautious start, put Sri Lanka's attack to the sword.

He hammered four boundaries and three sixes, reaching his 13th ODI half-century off just 44 deliveries before eventually holing out in the deep.

Dhoni, off the mark with an edged boundary, was fortunate to reach his half-century.

He was dropped by Sangakkara on 49, the Sri Lanka captain already having missed an opportunity when the batsman was on 25, and was grassed again by Mendis on 94.

By then, Dhoni had thrown caution to the wind and he reached his sixth ODI century with two runs off Mathews. His second 50 came off just 36 deliveries.

Dilshan and Tharanga got Sri Lanka's chase off to a flyer, the opening batsmen adding 102 for the first wicket in a mere 14 overs.

Dhoni had shuffled his bowlers around and had delayed the bowling powerplay. The hosts eventually secured the breakthrough when Harbhajan Singh snared Tharanga - caught at slip as he attempted to drive.

Sangakkara was then run out and Dilshan, who had raised his half-century off just 31 deliveries, moved to his fifth ODI century more slowly as India's bowlers dominated play.

Dilshan reached the three-figure mark - off 91 deliveries - and then smashed Ashish Nehra for two consecutive boundaries to leave Sri Lanka needing only 117 from the last 20 overs.

The visitors had cantered along nicely when Nehra ended Dilshan's stay with a yorker, Sri Lanka still needing 89 from 85 deliveries at that stage.

Mahela Jayawardene (39) was accounted for by Zaheer but Sri Lanka, with a batting powerplay in hand, still held the edge.

Thilina Kandamby (27) and Mathews battled on, the two raising 32 for the fifth wicket when Kandamy was snared by Zaheer in the first over of the batting powerplay.

Zaheer then bowled Chamara Kapugedera in the same over to leave Mathews battling with the tail.

Sri Lanka had needed 19 from the last three overs, but the target was steadily whittled down until Mendis brought up victory with a single off the first ball of the final over.