MUMBAI: Virender Sehwag's brilliant 151 and his 221-run opening stand with Murali Vijay put India in command of the third and final test against Sri Lanka, taking the hosts to 260-1 at tea on day two Thursday.

Sehwag smashed five sixes and 19 fours off just 131 deliveries while Vijay posted a more patient 121-ball 87 to put the hosts in a strong position to deny Sri Lanka the victory it needs to level the series. The visitors scored 393 in their first innings.

The dominant opening stand ended when Vijay fell lbw to Rangana Herath, picking the wrong delivery to attempt a sweep stroke.

Stepping in for inform batsmam Gautam Gambhir who is missing this test to attend his sister's wedding, Vijay hit 10 boundaries.

At tea, Rahul Dravid on 17 was the other not out batsman along with Sehwag.

Earlier, Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews fell just one run short of his maiden test century when he was run out. He pulled a short ball to deep square-leg, and tried a second run in his eagerness to complete the ton, but failed to beat Sachin Tendulkar's accurate throw to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Mathews hit 15 boundaries off 131 deliveries.

Resuming at the overnight score of 366-8, Sri Lanka added 27 runs for the loss of its remaining two wickets. The visitors' innings folded soon after the departure of Mathews, as last man Chanaka Welegedara (8) fell lbw to Pragyan Ojha (3-101).