Sri Lanka seeking first test win in India

Sri Lanka seeking first test win in India

Kumar Sangakkara is hoping to become the first Sri Lankan captain to lead his country to a test win on Indian soil during the three-match series which starts later this month.

In 14 tests since its first tour to India in 1982-83, Sri Lanka has lost eight matches and drawn six.

"We've not scored a test victory in our previous visits to India, but I'm hoping to overcome this barrier during the upcoming series," Sangakkara told reporters on Sunday in Mumbai, where the tour starts on Wednesday with a three-day warmup game against the Indian Board President's XI.

"We've got some new talent in out squad, particularly in the pace department. I think these youngsters will serve us well," he said.

He also believed Sri Lanka could be helped by India's defeat to Australia in their current seven-match series.

Speaking after news of India's six-wicket loss Sunday in the northeastern city of Gauhati, which gave Australia an unassailable 4-2 lead, he said: "Instead of the touring team being under pressure, its going to be on India this time. And we'll try to add to it."

Sri Lanka's tour will feature tests in Ahmadabad (Nov. 16-20), Kanpur (Nov. 24-28) and Mumbai (Dec. 2-6), along with five limited-overs internationals and two Twenty20 internationals. Ahmadabad and Mumbai were chosen after tests against England last year were shifted to other venues in the wake of the terrorist attack on Mumbai.

India won 2-0 over three tests when Sri Lanka last visited the country in 2005, but Sri Lanka emerged a 2-1 winner at home in 2008.

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Sri Lanka squad:

Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Anjelo Mathews, Thilina Kandamby, Prasanna Jayawardena, Kaushal Silva, Chanaka Welegedara, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dammika Prasad, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis.