It's a dream to win in India: Dinesh Chandimal

Sri Lanka have played 17 Test matches in India so far, losing ten of them while playing out a draw on the remaining seven occasions. The Lankans are in India currently to play a 3-match Test series, and as many ODIs and T20I matches across the three formats. The last time when these two sides met a few months back in the backyard of the Lankans, India thrashed them in all the three formats, making it a 9-0 sweep.

Dinesh Chandimal, the visiting side’s skipper for the Test series is aware of the poor record they hold and said that it is a dream to win in India. Sri Lanka had earlier won a Test series against Pakistan in UAE, but the joy was short-lived as they were handed defeats in the limited overs formats.

“We have never won a Test against India in India,” said Chandimal in Kolkata, a day post the team’s arrival. “So it’s a dream to win here. It’s always a pleasure to play in front of the Kolkata spectators. As I said, we need to start well as a team and we are looking forward to that.”

Lack of experience in the Lankan camp

The visitors lack the experience of playing in India, as apart from Angelo Mathews and Rangana Herath, none of the players have played in Indian conditions. “Actually, this is my first Test tour to India,” he said. “Apart from Angelo (Mathews) and Rangana (Herath), all others are on their first tour to India. It’s a good challenge for each and every one. We have worked really hard. Especially before coming here, we did a lot of practice back home.

“You can see new faces – Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva and also, Sadeera (Samarawickrama) – in the squad. They have a really good opportunity to play against India and perform. I am sure they will put their hand up and do their best.” he said.