This will be a challenging series for us - Chandimal

Sri Lanka set for a big Challenge of the year, as they take on India in India, they may have played against India a few months ago in the island, but playing in India against India will offer an even bigger challenge to handle for them.

Lankans were swept clean by India across formats during the tour, and it seemed like only one-way traffic as Lankans never recovered. But, the way Lankans fought against Pakistan, in UAE in a 2-match test series - felt like, they rediscovered their potential in the longer format.

Although, India gonna be different a challenge, with the way they dominated the visiting teams for a couple years.

“We all know India are No. 1 team at the moment. They have played some really good cricket in last two years. We have done really well against Pakistan. We did well as a team. I am sure guys are looking forward to take this challenge," Chandimal said, in a media interaction as per quoted by India Today.

While Chandimal wants to be optimistic about the fact that they have won the series in Pakistan and said he is looking forward to the challenge against India in India.

“This will be a challenging series for us. It's nice to be here with the spectators, we love to play here. I don't want to look back but look forward. We have done well versus Pakistan. The boys are in a good shape and we look forward to take the challenge against India.”

Meanwhile, the history isn't in favor of the visitors as they yet to register a test victory against India, and in the present squad apart from Mathews and Herath none of them played a test match in India including Chandimal, who has been around for a while.

“We have never won a Test in India, it's a dream for everyone. This is a first game we are playing in Kolkata. It's always a pleasure playing in front of Kolkata spectators. We need to start well as a team and looking forward."

"This is my first Test tour to India. Apart from Angelo (Mathews) and Rangana (Herath), others having a first tour here in India. It's really good challenge for each and everyone."

The main challenge for Lankans on this tour will be, to counter the spin twins Ashwin and Jadeja, who are No.1 and No.2 in the world, and speaking on that, Chandimal revealed they have plans to tackle the spin twins.

"They are Nos 1 and 2 in the world. They bowled really well the last couple of years. I don't want to tell our plans in front of you. But we have something up our sleeves. You will see our plans in one week's time and what are we going to do against them.”