An age-defying seven-for, and a century 20 months in the making

Chandimal's counterattack
Sri Lanka had no business winning the Galle Test. They were bundled out for 183 in the first innings, conceded a lead of 192, and soon found themselves floundering at 95 for 5 in the second. With an innings defeat looming, Dinesh Chandimal unleashed his own brand of reverse-sweeping pandemonium to catch India off guard. Chandimal ended with an unbeaten 162, and his knock gave Sri Lanka something to bowl at.

Herath spins India out
Despite Chandimal's blitz, Sri Lanka had only 175 to defend. Rangana Herath ensured that was more than enough. Fighting weak knees and a troublesome back, as well as whispers calling for his retirement, Herath picked up 7 for 48 to bowl India out for 112, sealing a memorable win for the hosts.

Rahul's redemption
After returns of 7 and 5 in Galle, KL Rahul took centre stage at the P Sara Oval. He worked his way to an important 108, helping India compile 393. There was only disappointment for Rahul - that he did not push on for a bigger score: "Personally you do feel like you could have done a lot better."

Rahane makes it count at No. 3
Playing his first Test at one-down, Ajinkya Rahane formed the spine of India's second innings. Rahane's patient 126, his fourth Test ton, brought much-needed calmness to the batting order, and carried India to a massive lead of 412.

Ashwin enters the record books
R Ashwin's 5 for 42 in the second innings of the P Sara Test not only capped off a fine victory for India, but broke a host of records. The haul took him to 17 wickets in the series - the most by an Indian in Sri Lanka - and meant Ashwin had 12 five-fors in his first 27 Tests, with nine of those coming in wins.

Pujara ends a 20-month drought
Cheteshwar Pujara, who was included in the playing XI at the SSC, had not scored a Test hundred since December 2013, or even played a Test in eight months. But over the course of 289 deliveries, Pujara offered a reminder of his credentials in the longest format, scoring a gritty, unbeaten 145, and became only the fourth Indian opener to carry his bat through the innings.

Fiery Ishant takes on Sri Lanka
A pumped-up Ishant Sharma was all over Sri Lanka in the final Test. Consistently hitting the good lengths, Ishant prized out five Sri Lanka wickets in the first innings, running through the hosts' middle order on his way to 5 for 54. Ishant would pick up three more wickets in the second innings, and he celebrated each of them with a cathartic roar, as India romped to their first away series win since 2011.

Mathews fights a lone battle
Angelo Mathews is no stranger to rebuilding Sri Lanka's collapsed innings, and in the final Test, he was tasked with that job yet again. With his team-mates falling like a pack of cards, Mathews stuck around for a majestic 110, but he could not prevent defeat.