Kumble confident of winning Sri Lanka Test-Series

Chennai, July 14 : Skipper Anil Kumble expressed confidence here today of winning the Sri Lanka-India Test Series commencing from July 23.

Addressing a news conference in Chennai, Kumble said that his side was ready to take on Sri Lanka in the upcoming test series and the recent defeat of the Indian side against Sri Lanka in the Asian Cup did not bother his team.

"Asia cup was a one-day tournament and going into the test matches as a test team is different, Kumble said, adding, "As a test team we have really performed well so in that sense we are very confident and in test cricket we have done exceptionally well in the last year or so."

Kumble also said, "We have been consistent and so I am sure we will be able to put up a good show and ensure that we get a series victory."

He further added that his batsmen were all set to face Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis in the Test series in Sri Lanka.

Mendis had scripted his team's emphatic 100-run victory by grabbing six wickets and giving away just 13 runs in the recent Asia Cup final in Karachi, Pakistan.

India has a daunting task in the tests, having won only one of the four series they have played in Sri Lanka since 1985. Their previous trip in 2001 ended in a 2-1 defeat.

Indian test team will leave for Sri Lanka on Tuesday (July 15) and will begin tour of the island nation with a three-day game against the Sri Lankan Board XI starting on Friday.

The tests will be followed by a five-match one-day series.

ANI