Colombo: If India has already pocketed the one-day series with one match to spare, it's because of the inconsistency plaguing the Sri Lankan batting order, according to home captain Mahela Jayawardene.

India sealed the fate of the series with their 46-run win last night that fetched them an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series and Jayawardene has no doubt that his batting colleagues were just not consistent.

"I'm disappointed by the way we played. We had our opportunities but our day cricket has not been consistent. Especially with the bat, we have not been consistent," the Lankan skipper rued.

"If you are not capable of getting the runs, it is quite difficult to win matches.

"We just need to make sure that our batting is consistent. In one day cricket, it is important that you be very consistent with the bat. That is where I think we lost the series," he added.

Jayawardene said opening slot remains a woe for the side and it would probably take some time before they find a solution.

"Like I said, we have not been consistent. I think we had Upul (Tharanga) for quite sometimes who was partnering Sanath (Jayasuriya) for some time. Upul then had a bit of slump in the last eight months and is now with the A team in South Africa.

"We just need a bit of time to get it right. We need to find right combination from top to six. Whoever can take responsibility and play the role we require them to play in different situations. That is something that we are still working on," Jayawardene said. Jayawardene also felt that the Sri Lankan youngsters have been slightly outshone by their Indian counterparts.

"Opportunities are there for them to take the responsibility but they have not been consistent. That is something that we have to work on.

"Suresh (Raina) and those guys have been playing good cricket. I think our guys need more confidence to go out and express themselves. That is something which we definitely need to work on. Because they are our future. We just need to make sure that we get it right," he added.

Amid all, Jayawardene, however, still finds a silverline in the new ball bowlers' performance.

"I think with the new ball we have been very consistent. That is something that we can fall back on, specially with the injuries we had.

"Thilana Thushara has been outstanding with the ball and the bat. So did (Nuwan) Kulasekara and (Chaminda) Vaas.

"I think Ajantha Mendis and (Muttiah) Muralitharan is a good combination that we can work towards for the future," Jayawardene added.

"We just need a bit of time to get it right. We need to find right combination from top to six. Whoever can take responsibility and play the role we require them to play in different situations. That is something that we are still working on," Jayawardene said.

Jayawardene also felt that the Sri Lankan youngsters have been slightly outshone by their Indian counterparts.