Lanka undaunted by India's 3-1 victory over WI: Jayawardane

Mumbai, Feb 2 (UNI) A confident sounding Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene today said while India were a formidable force at home, his team was undaunted by the 3-1 victory scored by them against the West Indies recently.

Jayawardene and coach Tom Moody, while addressing the media on their arrival here today for four one-day matches, said they were looking forward to the tough challenge of playing against India as it was a fine opportunity to fine-tune ahead of the March-April World Cup in the West Indies.

The coach also played down the absence of key bowlers Muthiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas due to niggling injuries and said their non-availability has given a chance to others to step up to the plate and deliver.

''This series is a very important part of our build-up for the World Cup. We are playing against a very good opposition in a very tough environment. Whether Chaminda Vaas or Murali are here or not, makes no difference to our focus,'' said Moody.

Jayawardene said, ''India played against the West Indies and not against us. But I know it's a big challenge playing India in India.

We have been performing well away from home and its another good challenge for the young team.'' He expressed happiness at starting the series at the Eden Gardens and said his entire team was looking forward to playing the day-night opener at Kolkata on February 8.

''We are happy to start at the Eden Gardens and in a day-night match. A lot of young guys in the team have never played there. Only four of us are still left from the 1996 team that beat India in the World Cup semifinals,'' said the visiting captain who was not part of the Arjuna Ranatunga-led triumphant team.

Moody also dismissed talks of this series being seen by the Lankans as a revenge rubber for the 1-6 loss suffered by the Islanders in India fourteen months ago.

''We are a different outfit now than what we were a year-and-half ago. The relevance of the earlier series is not to be considered,'' the Lankan coach emphasized.

Moody also said that players like Russel Arnold and Upul Chandana, recalled to the team for the series, have the experience to play at this level.

''They did well in the 'A' team and in domestic cricket and were selected on merit. They have the experience to play at this level and have a chance to make the 15 for the World Cup to be chosen on February 13,'' he said.

The tourists, after their tour opener on February 8 at Kolkata, will play their other matches at Rajkot (Feb 11), Goa (Feb 14) and Vishakapatnam (Feb 17).

The squad: Mahela Jayawardene (Capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Marvan Atapattu, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Malinga Bandara, Nuwan Zoysa and Nuwan Kulasekera.

Coach: Tom Moody.

UNI