Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene and coach Tom Moody are looking forward to the tough challenge of playing against India, something they consider a fine opportunity to fine-tune ahead of the March-April World Cup in the West Indies.
Moody played down the absence of key bowlers Muthiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas, due to niggling injuries, saying their non-availability has given others a chance to step up to the plate and deliver.
"This series is a very important part of our build-up for the World Cup. We are playing against a very good opposition in a very tough environment to play cricket. Whether Chaminda Vaas or Murali is here or not makes no difference to our focus," said Moody, at a media conference, in Mumbai on Friday after the team's arrival.
"The series is a great opportunity for the team to gain momentum towards the World Cup. It gives us a tough challenge. We are aware India is a different team at home.
"The absence of Vaas and Murali gives opportunities to others to step up and take responsibility. They had been absent before too and someone like Malinga Bandara had stepped up and bowled very well," the former Australia player said.
Jayawardene, while agreeing India is a formidable force at home, said his team is undaunted by the 3-1 victory India scored against the West Indies recently.
"India played against the West Indies and not against us. But I know it's a big challenge playing India in India. We have been performing well away from home and it's another good challenge for the young team," the stylish middle order batsman said.
Jayawardene expressed happiness to start the series at the Eden Gardens and said his team is looking forward to playing the day-night opener at Kolkata on February 8.
"We are happy to start at the Eden Gardens and in a day-night match. A lot of young guys in the team have never played there. Only four of us are still left from the 1996 team that beat India in the World Cup semi-finals," said the visiting captain, who was not part of the Arjuna Ranatunga-led triumphant team.
Moody dismissed talk of this series being seen by the Lankans as a revenge rubber for the 1-6 loss suffered by the islanders in India 14 months ago.
"That was 14 months ago and a lot of water has flown under the bridge as far as we are concerned. We are obviously focused and determined to win this series.
"We are a different outfit now than what we were a year and a half ago. The relevance of the earlier series is not to be considered," the Lankan coach emphasized.
"The team has been constantly growing. It's been a long process, which will continue. There's lot of talent in Sri Lanka and in our squad.
"When the right environment is created for those players to thrive, results will start showing on the scoreboard," said Moody.
Asked about the superb form of wicket keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara, Moody said that the batsman is in terrific form for almost a year now.
"He works hard on his game," he said.
Moody also said that players like Russel Arnold and Upul Chandana, recalled to the team for the series, have the experience to play at this level.
"They did well in the 'A' team and in domestic cricket and were selected on merit. They have the experience to play at this level and have a chance to make the 15 for the World Cup, to be chosen on February 13th," he said.
Asked whether the sub-continental teams would have an edge on the slow turners in the Caribbean at the World Cup, Jayawardene dismissed the notion by pointing out that none of the sub-continental teams could make it to the ICC Champions Trophy final held in October-November in India.
"It has nothing to do with wickets but everything to do with how we adjust to the conditions. In the ICC Championship no Asian team made it to the final," he said.
Moody said sling-action pacer Lasith Malinga has been inducted slowly into the one-day format and the results are showing now.
"He's a strike bowler who has been slowly inducted into the ODI squad. The slow transition has been important. He was not rushed into one-day format," he added.
