Determined to do well in Sri Lanka: Mohanty

Imran Khan

Orissa medium pacer Debashish Mohanty sees the forthcoming triangular one-day series in Sri Lanka as a challenging task for him.

"I feel it is going to be a challenging series for me," he said, just before leaving for Colombo to participate in the triangular one-day series, which involves Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Popularly known as 'Deba', Mohanty said he is determined to perform well in the island country and repeat the success he had on the just-concluded tour of Zimbabwe.

He told rediff.com: "The weather conditions as well as the tracks are more or less similar to those in India; they will help us."

The last time he toured Sri Lanka was in 1997-98.

Deba, who was the first Orissa player to make it to the national team, says his return to the squad after being in the wilderness for nearly 18 months, was not by mere chance.

"It was sheer hard work which helped me. I was eager to return and play good cricket, to remain in the squad for a long period," he said.

Asked about his inclusion in the team for the Test series against Sri Lanka, Mohanty said: "It is purely the selectors' job. If they require me, I am ready," he said.