Jayawardene wants to get on top of India

Kolkata, Feb 7 (UNI) Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene today said the Islanders were focusing was on setting the record straight against India ahead of their World Cup campaign.

Sri Lanka were hammered 1-6 in the one-dayers when they toured India in 2005, but Jayawardene promised a better show this time.

The pain and humiliation was still burning for sure and the captain wants to revert that when the two teams meet for the four match series here tomorrow.

''A lot has changed since the last tour. We have proved ourselves as a team and are now seeking to instill more confidence into the players ahead of the World Cup,'' Jayawardene said.

Lanka has an 85 per cent win record in the last one odd year and of that 58 per cent has come overseas. This goes to speak a lot about a team that has evolved into an unit.

India and Sri Lanka are placed in the same preliminary group forthe World Cup, along with Bangladesh and Bermuda. The top two teams from the pool will advance to the Super Eight round. ''It would be great if we get on top of India here,'' said Jayawardene.

''But the World Cup will be different, where our focus won't just be on India.'' Sri Lanka's biggest limited-overs triumph, winning the 1996 World Cup, featured a semifinals victory over India at Eden Gardens.

''There we will play on neutral grounds and there will be other teams. But right now my thoughts are on this series, India, Kolkata and Eden gardens to begin with,'' he said.

He said having senior players in the team was a big boon.

''The seniors can guide the juniors. They help me whenever I need one. The juniors are feeding on their experience. Its great to have them around.'' He was also happy that the batsmen were in form and the bowlers show form even in the absence of Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas, making them a special side.

Asked about India, he said, ''They are a formidable opposition and have done better than us. But we plan to do better than them tomorrow.'' He said that all 11 players of the Indian team are important to him and his team.

Asked about the pitch, he said, 'it looked good and firm. Seems to have a lot of runs.'' UNI