Cricket

Teams ready for tough series

The Idea Cup three-Test series between Sri Lanka and India starting on July 23 is evenly poised with the two captains Tuesday describing it as “a tough challenge” that they were “prepared to face”.

The Test series will be followed by a five-match one-day international (ODI) series starting Aug 18 at the Dambulla international stadium. India have won only one of the four Test series they have played in Sri Lanka since 1985. Their previous tour in 2001 ended in a 2-1 defeat.

“It is certainly a challenging series, but nice to go back with the win. It needs a pretty good hard work and we are well prepared for it,” Indian skipper Anil Kumble told reporters at the launch ceremony.

Sri Lanka’s captain Mahela Jayawardena said a series against India had always been tough and his team was looking forward to meet that challenge. “I will be happy if we give Sachin the record and win the series. It is great a milestone for Sachin, but our focus is on the series,” Mahela said, hinting that the challenge was not Sachin alone but the entire Indian team.

Tags: Idea Cup, Idea Cup 2008, idea cup score, India, india sri lanka test match, india sri lanka test series, sachin tendulkar, sourav ganguly, sri lanka, sri lanka india