Sri Lanka have posted a very tough target for India, reaching 6-289 after 50 overs in their Commonwealth Bank Series battle at the Gabba on Tuesday.
Twenty-two-year-old Lahiru Thirimanne (62) was the top scorer for the Sri Lankans, bringing up his second ODI half-century in impressive fashion, steering the way through the middle overs and leading the charge in the final 10 overs.
A win for Sri Lanka will move them into second place on the tournament ladder, while India face the threat of falling from first to third in the space of just three days and two games at the Gabba.
In a worrying sign for the Indians, Sri Lanka's innings almost identically mimicked Australia's effort batting first at the Gabba on Sunday, in which they scored 5-288 and won by 110 runs.
Regardless of the healthy final total, Sri Lanka's 95-run opening stand between skipper Mahela Jayawardene (45) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) would have had them plotting an even bigger chase for their opposition.
But India's seamers pulled together somewhat, improving line and length to offer a semblance of support to the economical middle overs provided by spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
When Thirimanne was out to Ashwin, courtesy of a diving outfield catch from Suresh Raina, experienced closer Angelo Mathews (49 not out) was happy to take the lead, pushing his side past 250 in the 47th.
Having conceded 22 runs in a tame opening spell, Umesh Yadav ensured a better second spell with his first ball back, claiming the key wicket of Kumar Sangakkara, who swiveled on a short ball and found Sachin Tendulkar waiting in the deep.
The young pair of Dinesh Chandimal and Thirimanne showed maturity to ensure the slide wouldn't continue, knuckling down and taking the side past 150 in the 32nd over.
With 15 overs remaining, Sri Lanka were scoring at 4.8 runs per over and with seven wickets in hand, the time to launch was quickly approaching.
The duo raised their 50-run partnership from just 52 deliveries and continued to accelerate through to the end of the 39th over, when Irfan Pathan grabbed his second wicket, knocking over Chandimal with a leg-stump yorker as the right-hander attempted to swish across the line.
Ashwin took an improvisational approach in the 40th over, appealing for a Mankad against Thirimanne before Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag agreed to withdraw the shout.
Raina was brought on for the first time in the 49th over and had a wicket with his first ball, skidding one through Thisara Perera.
His third nut should have done Mathews too, but stand-in keeper Parthiv Patel dropped the chance.