Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene on Tuesday threw the gauntlet at India ahead of the third One-Day International, saying the hosts need to play "really good cricket" right through the contest to be able to beat his team.
Jayawardene said his players have developed the attitude of not giving up till the very end, which has started paying dividends in the past 12 months.
"We not only want to win the series but also every game. That has been our focus over the last 12 months whoever and wherever we play. That has been our attitude," Jayawardene said on the eve of the third match of the series, which Sri Lanka leads 1-0.
Jayawardene said that Sri Lanka want to continue their winning momentum and will look to seal the four-match series on Wednesday itself.
"We want to compete in every game and if a side wants to beat us it has to play really good cricket. That has been our strength. Every game is a motivation for us because winning is a good habit to have," he said.
With Sri Lanka and India facing each other in the group stages in the World Cup, Jayawardene said the series has been the ideal warm-up for the bigger challenge.
"This series is a good challenge for us before the World Cup. We have crossed one hurdle and tomorrow will be another one. I am sure all the guys are focused and keen to get the series tomorrow," he said.
The Lankans have a slight worry on the fitness front, with Kumar Sangakkara indisposed by an upset stomach, but Jayawardene maintained that the wicketkeeper will play in the match.
"It is nothing serious. Sangakkara was not feeling well in the morning due to stomach bug. We felt that he had a decent knock in Rajkot. So we let him rest today and he should be okay tomorrow," he said.
Sangakkara's classy knock of 110 in 128 balls, that included 11 fours and four sixes, helped lift the visitors from a troublesome 58 for four to a competitive 50-over total of 257 for eight which they defended successfully and won by five runs.
The Lanka captain hoped for a good one-day wicket for the tie.
"It looks a good wicket, with not much grass. Looks to be a flat wicket. In previous matches played here there have been lot of runs. Hopefully, this will be a good one-day wicket," Jayawardene said.
He also praised veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya, who he feels would spell danger to any team in the upcoming World Cup.
"I think he is going to play to the best of his ability in the World Cup. He knows his game and what to do, and how to plan his innings. He has matured over the years. He is grafting and planning his innings.
"He can be a danger to lot of the opposition as he's just not throwing his wicket away these days. He is constantly improving on different areas of the game. He is fitter than any other player in the team.
"He is pushing the other guys as well. I am sure he will approach the World Cup as he would approach any other game."
