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Atapattu craves for first Test win in India
The Lankan captain said he was confident his team can record its first Test victory in India despite the 6-1 ODI drubbing.
Sri Lanka's cricket captain Marvan Atapattu said on Thursday he was confident his team can record its first Test victory in India despite the recent 6-1 one-day series drubbing.
The Sri Lankans, who returned home after the one-dayers earlier this month, are back in India for three Test matches on the second leg of the split tour.
"I am looking forward to the Tests for quite a few reasons," Atapattu said as the Sri Lankans arrived for the three-day tour opener against the Indian board president's X1 from Saturday.
"We want to put things right after a disappointing one-day tour. Moreover, this is our first Test series in India in eight years and we have also never won a Test match on Indian soil."
"That should be enough to fire us up."
Sri Lanka, who last played a Test match in India in 1997, open the three-match series at the Chepauk in Chennai on December 2.
The remaining two Tests will be played in New Delhi from Dec 10-14 and in Kanpur from Dec 18-22.
Atapattu admitted the one-day hammering had dented his team's confidence but said the Test series will be a different ball game.
"The confidence took a severe beating and it was a defeat that we all need to take blame for," he said.
"Now it is time to do justice for our talents. Tests are different because you get a chance to come back when the game has slipped off a bit. We want to bounce back and get things going our way."
Atapattu said the team had spoken with past Sri Lankan greats in a bid to recover lost ground.
With veteran opening partner Sanath Jayasuriya sacked after the one-dayers, Atapattu admitted the pressure is on all the senior players to deliver.
Prolific off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan holds the key to his team's success on wickets traditionally suited to take turn.
The squad includes an uncapped spinner in left-armer Sajeeva Weerakoon and leg-break bowler Malinga Bandara, who played for Gloucestershire in English county cricket last season.
"What better place for spinners than India," said Atapattu. "The opposition is tough and time will tell how good the spinners we've picked are."
"I made my debut in India and I know how hard it is to play in India and we'll see how they go."
Promising 18-year-old batsman Chamara Kapugedara has been drafted into the squad in place of Jayasuriya. Atapattu, however, expects the old warhorse to bounce back.
"Sanath remains a valuable member in the team," Atapattu said. "It is never easy to drop a player of his class and I am confident he will come back soon."
Meanwhile, the tour opener from Friday was in danger of being hit by bad weather after incessant rain drenched this southern city.
Sri Lanka's Test squad:
Marvan Atapattu (capt), Chaminda Vaas (vice-capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakeratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Avishka Gunawardene, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara, Sajeeva Weerakoon and Chamara Kapugedara.
