
Kolkata: Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal
dropped hints that unlike five-pronged bowling attack, which
yielded results against Pakistan in the humid conditions in
the UAE, he may revert to four-bowler theory against India.
"Against Pakistan, we played six batters and five bowlers
that worked really well especially in the heat (in UAE). It
was never easy to play four bowlers and win a game. But India
have got some really good bowlers, so we need to think about
that all-rounder position. We will see the pitch and come up
with our plans," Chandimal said during a media interaction.
It was a clean sweep for India (9-0 across formats) when
they travelled to Sri Lanka but since then the island nation
beat Pakistan 2-0 in an 'away' Test series but lost 0-5 in the
ODIs.
"We all know India are No 1 team at the moment. They have
played some really good cricket in last two years. We have
done really well against Pakistan. We did well as a team. I am
sure guys are looking forward to take this challenge,"
Chandimal said.
Chandimal accepted that playing India in India is a big
challenge but he does not want to dwell on past results and
would rather look forward.
"This will be a challenging series for us. It's nice to
be here with the spectators, we love to play here. I don't
want to look back but look forward. We have done well versus
Pakistan. The boys are in a good shape and we look forward to
take the challenge against India," said the stylish right-
hander.
Chandimal said that he has some plans in place to tackle
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja but he will not
disclose them.
"As a team, we have something up our sleeves, we need to
execute that on the field then we can compete with the Indian
team," he said as the visitors had their first net session on
the day.
Sri Lanka has been touring India for official Test
matches since 1982 but till date have not been able to win a
single Test match leave alone series. Chandimal wants to
change that knowing how big a task that is.
"We have never won a Test in India, it's a dream for
everyone. This is a first game we are playing in Kolkata. It's
always a pleasure playing in front of Kolkata spectators. We
need to start well as a team and looking forward."
"This is my first Test tour to India. Apart from Angelo
(Mathews) and Rangana (Herath), others having a first tour
here in India. It's really good challenge for each and
everyone."
Asked how they will tackle spin duo of Ravichandran
Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja he said: "They are Nos 1 and 2 in
the world. They bowled really well last couple of years. I
don't want to tell our plans in front of you."
"But we have something up our sleeves. You will see our
plans in one week's time and what are we going to do against
them.