Mahela Jayawardene admitted Sri Lanka threw away the chance of a series victory as India won the second Test by 170 runs to level the three-Test series at one apiece.

Sri Lanka quickly finished off the Indian tail-end on Sunday morning to leave themselves with a target of 307, but fell well short as the top order failed before an emphatic collapse brought about a swift end to the game.

Having fallen to 10 for three, Sri Lanka's innings stabilised, but they lost the final five wickets for just six runs, leaving Jayawardene frustrated.

"We need to come back strongly in the next Test," he said. "Three hundred and seven on this wicket was a gettable score but the middle order couldn't get it together after the three quick wickets at the top."

Jayawardene praised the Indian performance, pointing to the contributions of double-centurion Virender Sehwag and 10-wicket man Harbhajan Singh, but he insisted he side would still have to look in the mirror to work out why they lost.

"Credit to the bowlers, but it's the batting that let us down," he said.

The result will be a huge morale boost to India after their humiliating defeat by an innings and 239 runs in the opening Test.

"I always had faith in the team," said Anil Kumble, who took five wickets in the match. "We have (come back) before. We have quality in the team; there is no doubt about that...

"There are couple of areas to improve but overall very satisfied with the result. The review is a good system, there are couple of areas to look into and captains will sit together to discuss."

Sehwag was named man of the match after scoring 201 in the first innings and adding a half-century the second time around. That came after he made a combined 38 runs in his innings in the first Test.

"The double hundred came in at a good time," he said. "We needed some runs on the board. I love to bat long. When you flop in the last three innings, you need to make up.

"I love to play my shots; I am enjoying my cricket. I didn't feel much pressure as the captain and the coach gave me good support."