Virender Sehwag blasted a quickfire unbeaten 128 as India squandered a flying start with a dramatic collapse which saw the visitors losing four wickets in the span of 20 balls on a rain-truncated opening day of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

The flamboyant Sehwag notched up his 15th Test century but India, who were cruising along comfortably at 167 for no loss, lost four wickets in quick succession to reach 214 for four when play was called off early because of bad light.

The complexion of the game changed abruptly after play resumed following a rain interruption as paceman Chaminda Vaas and 'mystery' spinner Ajantha Mendis ripped through the top order to help the islanders claw back brilliantly.

While Sehwag played with characteristic flair, the quick dismissals of opener Gautam Gambhir (56), Rahul Dravid (2), Sachin Tendulkar (5) and Sourav Ganguly (0) has dented India's hopes of posting a big first innings total on what appeared to be a good batting strip at the Galle International stadium.

VVS Laxman (13) was giving Sehwag company at stumps on a day which saw only 44.3 overs being bowled.

The visitors, who desperately need to win the match to keep themselves afloat in the three-match series, have to now bank on Sehwag and Laxman to put up a decent total on the board.

Unlucky paceman

However, the paceman was unlucky as Sehwag and Gambhir missed edge on many occasions and the deliveries that got egde either did not carry or dropped by fielders.

Gambhir went for a flashy shot outside the off-stump, managed a thin edge towards first slip Kumar Sangakkara but he could not hold on to the chance as wicket keeper Prasnna Jayawardene dived across blocking the view.

Gambhir gradually grew in confidence and hit Kulasekara for an elegant mid-off boundary having cut Vaas for a point region boundary earlier.

With pacers not succeeding in breaking the opening pair, skipper Mahela jayawardene introduced India's new nemesis Ajantha Mendis into the attack.

However, Indians looked determined to counter Mendis in an effective manner as Sehwag hit the mystery spinner for a long-off six and a cover boundary in his second over.

Mendis was taken off after giving away 37 runs in his first spell of 6 overs.

The Sri Lankan Arny spinner though asked questions from his first over when Sehwag went for a sweep shot and missed it. Wicketkeeper Prasanna caught the bowl, which he believed hit Sehwag's gloves.

Skipper Jaywardene asked for a review but the third umpire stayed with the on-field umpire's decision.