India outplayed Sri Lanka in all departments of the game on Thursday to win the Asia Cup final by 81 runs and record a fourth win in seven tournament finals under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

India compiled an impressive 268 for six with opener and man-of-the-match Dinesh Karthik striking 66 from 86 balls after Dhoni had won the toss and decided to bat first in Dambulla.

Their pace attack then dismissed Sri Lanka for 187 from 44.4 overs.

Sri Lanka's first five wickets fell for 51 runs and a late rally by Thilina Kandamby (31) and Chamara Kapugedara (55 not out) who put on 53 for the sixth wicket ended in a run out.

Left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra was the outstanding bowler, picking up three of the top five wickets and ending with figures of four for 40. He was well supported by Praveen Kumar and Zaheer Khan who took three wickets between them.

India last won the Asia Cup in 1995 in Sharjah.