Upul Tharanga plundered the highest individual score in a One-Day International in the Caribbean as Sri Lanka amassed 1-348 batting first against India in the third match of the Tri-Nation Series at Sabina Park on Tuesday.

Making the most of improved batting conditions, the left-hander smashed his way to an unbeaten 174 off 159 deliveries with 19 fours and three sixes, featuring in a 213-run opening stand with the experienced Mahela Jayawardene.

The former captain compiled his 16th ODI century and third against India before becoming the only casualty of the innings, being caught by Umesh Yadav at short third-man off the bowling Ravichandran Ashwin.

It was Jayawardene who set the pace for the innings with another typically fluent effort that occupied 117 deliveries and was embellished by nine fours and two sixes, but by the time he departed in the 39th over, Tharanga was already stepping into overdrive.

He duly reached his 13th ODI hundred – his second against India – shortly after, and with skipper Angelo Mathews (44 not out) promoting himself up the order to turn the screws on their opponents, Indian captain Virat Kohli was at a loss to stem the tide.