Magic Mendis turns screw.

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SRI LANKACOS new spin king Ajantha Mendis was in the spotlight once again as the hosts homed in on a series victory over India.Kumar Sangakkara had ensured the hosts would hold a healthy first-innings lead after making a fine 144 before Sri Lanka were bowled out for 396, replying to IndiaCOs 249.But it was Mendis and Co with the ball who brought victory in sight, leaving India reeling on 161 for five at stumps on day three, a lead of just 14.Unorthodox spinner Mendis, who spun India to defeat in the recent Asia Cup, was at it again in Colombo as he broke the record for the most wickets in a debut series.

Mendis saw off Parthiv Patel and then claimed the key scalp of Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, leg before for just 14, to set a new record of 25 wickets - one better than that of Englishman Alec Bedser.And Sangakkara, who had earlier smashed his 17th Test century, said: C[pounds sterling]It is a phenomenal achievement. He (Mendis) came in when Murali (Muttiah Muralitharan) needed support and he rose to the occasion well. C[pounds sterling]He has gone beyond our expectations and the important thing for him is to keep learning.C[yen]On his century innings, Sangakkara added: C[pounds sterling]I am very happy to get a hundred. It was one of the most difficult hundreds to get. We now want to keep them (India) well below the 100-mark when we go out there tomorrow.C[yen]

The match had been evenly-poised heading into day three, but Sri Lanka gained the upper hand in the morning when they added 101 for the loss of just one wicket to their overnight total of 251 for six.IndiaCOs hopes of early wickets were not helped by the loss of Ishant Sharma, who was unable to bowl after injuring himself in his follow-through during SaturdayCOs play.

But the hosts had no such worries as Mendis and debutant fast bowler Dammika Prasad got to work on the Indian line-up.

Prasad ended an early second innings flourish for the tourists when he dismissed openers Virender Sehwag (34) and Gautam Gambhir (26) in successive overs.Sehwag was caught by Thilan Samaraweera at gully, while Gambhir played on to his stumps while attempting to pull. The pair had added 62 off just 10.4 overs.In a re-shuffled batting line-up due to injury concerns, Sourav Ganguly, batting ahead of Tendulkar, only managed 18 before he was sent back.Both Ganguly and Tendulkar have failed to make a half-century in the series and a lot now depends on Rahul Dravid (46no) and VVS Laxman (17no) going into day four.

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