India coach Greg Chappell warned his players on Friday to prepare for slow Sri Lankan pitches and an in-form home team during this month's one-day tri-series.
"Sri Lanka and South Africa are tough competitors," he told. "Sri Lanka are a different team from the one we played in India a few months ago."
The tri-series will be played from Aug 14-29.
Sri Lanka were thrashed 6-1 by India late last year, but displayed ominous form to rout hosts England 5-0. India have not won a one-day series featuring three or more teams for four years.
Chappell blamed lack of focus for the Caribbean defeat, but dismissed it as a "blip on the radar screen" and said it could spur the team during the March-April World Cup in West Indies.
"Maybe that was fortuitous," he said. "It taught us some lessons about playing one-day cricket in the West Indies which may be useful somewhere down the track."
The Australian, who completes one year in the job, added: "We've gained ground in all fronts, as a team and as individuals."
He backed his predecessor John Wright over comments in his recently published book which have generated much heat in India.
{{/usCountry}}He backed his predecessor John Wright over comments in his recently published book which have generated much heat in India.
{{/usCountry}}The former New Zealand captain has criticised India's zonal system of appointing selectors, angering the board and selectors.
"I've read some of the excerpts from the book and I think he's made some positive comments about Indian cricket and India," Chappell said.
"Knowing John as well as I do, he's a decent human being and a very honest fellow. He'd have given a very honest opinion of his experience."