Team will come back from defeat: Ganguly

After the humiliating defeat to Sri Lanka on Friday, there were brave words from India captain Sourav Ganguly. He predicted his team would come back in the three-Test series against the hosts just as it had done against the mighty Australians earlier this year.

"We will come back as we did against the Aussies," Ganguly said, after India suffered its first Test defeat to Sri Lanka in 16 years.

"We have got injuries to a few key players," he said, referring to the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and V V S Laxman from the side.

"They [the Sri Lankans] batted better and bowled a decent line, especially on the third day," Ganguly said, reflecting on the 10-wicket defeat.

Not ready to concede that India are a different team outside their own soil, Ganguly reminded that his team had won a match abroad, against Zimbabwe, in recent months.

"We have been in winning positions on a number of occasions abroad but were not able to capitalise. Now we have got the potential and have a much better batting side. We have four or five good guys," he said.

A jubilant home skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, who was declared man-of-the-match for his brilliant century that set the tempo for victory, lauded his bowling attack.

"First Dilhara [Feranando] and then Murali (Muthiah Muralitharan) bowled well. I am happy for Dilhara and we've got a host of fast bowlers coming up," he said.

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Mail Cricket Editor