UPDATE 2-Cricket-Mendis shines as India's top order fail

(Updates at close)

COLOMBO, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Spinner Ajantha Mendis claimed 5-56 to help Sri Lanka bowl India out for 249 on the first day of the third test on Friday.

India hit back with an early wicket, as Ishant Sharma bowled Malinda Warnapura (eight), before Sri Lanka closed on 14 for one with Michael Vandort on three and nightwatchman Chaminda Vaas on nought.

The unorthodox Mendis extended his wicket tally in his first series to 23 as India failed to take any advantage from winning the toss on a good batting pitch.

However, the early damage was done by debutant pace bowler Dammika Prasad, who recovered from a nervous start with the new ball to dismiss Virender Sehwag (21), Rahul Dravid (10) and Sachin Tendulkar (six) in the first session.

Opener Gautam Gambhir continued his good form from the second test in Galle, which India won by 170 runs to level the series, to score 72 from 128 balls with 10 boundaries.

India were given a flying start with Sehwag and Gambhir plundering boundaries off some wayward bowling from Prasad and Chaminda Vaas, adding 51 in seven overs.

Sri Lanka's fielders also missed early opportunities with Malinda Warnapura dropping Sehwag on 14 at short square leg following a Vaas bouncer.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, fielding at point, missed a run out chance a few minutes later when Sehwag backed up too far.