India moved to the top of the test rankings on Sunday by completing a second straight innings victory over Sri Lanka.

India won by an innings and 24 runs to claim a 2-0 victory in a dominant performance across the three-test series.

"It took some sustained effort to become the No. 1 team in tests, but the really tough task starts now in having to maintain this position," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.

"When we were pushed, the batsmen came up with some outstanding performances, and the bowler got wickets to put the opposition under pressure."

Resuming at 274-6, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 309 with India paceman Zaheer Khan claiming 5-72.

Sri Lanka made 393 in its first innings, and India responded with its highest ever test score of 726-9 declared.

Sri Lanka's hopes of averting an innings defeat Sunday were shattered as Khan struck three quick blows, beginning with the dismissal of skipper Kumar Sangakkara (137), who edged the third delivery of the day to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Sangakkara's dismissal exposed the tail and Khan quickly snared Rangana Herath (3) and Nuwan Kulasekara (19) to complete his five-wicket haul.

Offspinner Harbhajan Singh had Muttiah Muralitharan (14) caught behind to complete the victory.

Dhoni praised the performance of Virender Sehwag for his dominant knock of 293 and Khan's five-wicket burst.

"In this test, we were able to exert pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen after putting up 700-plus runs on the board and it was nice to see Zaheer back in his bowling rhythm," he said.

Sehwag fell seven runs short of becoming the first batsman in test history to post three triple centuries, but he was Sunday adjudged the Man of the Match and also the Player of the Series.

Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara said he was aware of the challenge as Sri Lanka has not won a single test match on Indian soil.

"The Indians outperformed us in all departments and kept putting us under pressure. In this match, we won the toss and put almost 400 runs on the board, but then Sehwag came and took the game away from us," he said.

"We've got to put the test matches behind us now, and focus on the Twenty20 internationals and the limited-overs series."

The Twenty20 internationals will be played Dec. 9 and 12, while five one-day internationals will be played from Dec. 15-27.