By P. Karunakharan, IANS,
Colombo : Playing down the threat from the new spin sensation of Sri Lanka Ajantha Mendis, Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Monday his team is not wary of playing him.
Addressing the media here on the upcoming five One-day International series against Sri Lanka beginning Wednesday in Dambulla, the Indian skipper, however, said it is always “tough to beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka”.
Asked how his team was going to face Mendis, who ran though their batting order in the Test series here last year, Dhoni said they had a measure of the spinner during the subsequent ODI series, which India won.
“We did well against him in ODIs, so there is no need for us to worry too much about him or any individuals. Our boys are ready to face the challenges ahead,” said the Indian skipper.
Dhoni said although the weather conditions may look the same in the neighbouring countries, but it is not so.
“The conditions are not the same. The pitches in Sri Lanka perform differently as the match progresses. A lot depends on the toss,” he said, indicating that India won all the matches against Sri Lanka last year after winning the toss.
Dhoni said although the team was missing Harbhajan Singh, the senior member of the team’s spin department, it has given a golden opportunity for the upcoming youngsters to perform and prove their talents.
According to the rescheduled tournament itinerary, only the first one-day international (ODI) will be played at Dambulla Rangiri Stadium while the remaining games will be held in Colombo (Jan 30, Feb 2, 5 and 8).
The only Twenty20 International will be played in Colombo Feb 10. Three ODIs will be played under lights at R. Premadasa Stadium while the fifth one-dayer will be a day game at the Sinhalese Sports Club, also in Colombo.
The series was hastily scheduled after India cancelled its tour to Pakistan in January-February following the Mumbai terror attacks.
Sri Lanka, which is boosted by its two emphatic back-to-back wins over Pakistan last week, will fly back to Pakistan in February to play two Tests after hosting India.