Finally India’s Test series win drought on Sri Lankan soil came to an end when they tamed the hosts in the third and final Test by 117 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club. India were beaten comprehensively in the first Test by Sri Lanka, but they came back strongly and won the series 2-1.

It was India’s first Test series victory in Sri Lanka in 22 years. The last came in 1993, when they won 1-0 under the leadership of Azharuddin.

After that several captains including Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and M S Dhoni led India but winning a Test series in Sri Lanka remained a dream.

The Lankan Tigers at home looked unconquerable. But young Virat Kohli did it for India. It is his first Test series win as the Indian captain.

It was India’s first away series triumph since Dhoni’s team defeated West Indies 1-0 in 2011.

It was also only the third time that India recovered from 0-1 down to win a series. This was the second occasion in their history that India took all 60 wickets in a three-Test series.

It was the first instance after 2004 when India won two away Tests in a series against oppositions except Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. In 2004, India won the Test series in Pakistan 2-1.

"It was a special feeling to win the Test series after being 0-1 down. I think this series belongs to the bowlers because they have been outstanding. Everyone played their part in the win," said the delighted Kohli.

It was Sri Lanka’s second successive home series defeat, having lost to Pakistan by 1-2. After the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka are passing through a rebuilding phase and are yet to find worthy replacements of these players.

Sri Lanka have lost four Tests at home this year – the most they have lost at home in a calendar year. The last time they lost more than two home Tests in a calendar year was in 2003-04, when they lost three Tests.

It was the first time since 1993 when Sri Lanka lost two home series in a calendar year.

The series was really won by the Indian bowlers, especially Ashwin (21 wickets) and Amit Mishra (15).  In 1988-89, Indian spinners Arshad Ayub and Narendra Hirwani combined to take 41 wickets in three Tests against New Zealand.

During the Test series, Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma completed 200 Test wickets. He is only the fourth Indian pacer to reach this milestone. The first three were Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan.

Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews remained the most successful batsman of the series with 339 runs. He averaged 56.50 and hit two centuries and one fifty.

Indian captain Virat Kohli also led his side from the front with 233 runs. He struck one hundred and one half-century, averaging 38.83.

Prasad and Herath took 15 wickets each for Sri Lanka, averaging 23.60 and 31, respectively.

India now host South Africa for a full tour in October, while Sri Lanka play a home series against the West Indies.