Sri Lanka have a formidable record of 30-75, but still fear playing the Indians at India. Besides having an overseas record of just 11-75, they have not played in India in eight years, and have not played 7 one day matches for a long time.

From Web Mid Day:

“We know we have done well in Sri Lanka, but it is different when you face the Indians at home. We are all geared up for the tour.

Unfortunately we haven’t had the best of batting sessions due to reasons beyond our control. We have given ourselves the best of chance of coming out and practicing. Hopefully, after we play the practice game on October 22 we will be ready to take on India in the series starting on October 25.”

“It is after a long time since we last toured India (eight years). We haven’t won a Test match there so far. We are starting off with seven one-dayers and it is important that we do well and gain confidence for the Test series — although it is a totally different ball game,” he added.

Commenting on the changes India have made for the first two one-day matches, Atapattu said: “From the amount of cricket all the countries are going to play leading up to the World Cup, it is important to keep your main guys fresh by giving youngsters a chance. That is what India have done. Although we haven’t played the best of sides, we have also been experimenting on the same lines.”

So while India trains to get up to speed, Sri Lanka mentally prepares itself for a hard match. More on this as it develops.

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