“The win was a big boost and equally impressive was the way the junior players performed for the team. The young players who have played here will benefit from it. Forget about the juniors, even some of us senior players hadn’t played in India for a long time… So it’s very good,” said Kapugedera.

“It’s very important that people in Sri Lanka know that there are back-up players in the team. When some of the seniors, who played in the last few years, are not there, we need back-up players. It’s good to see them do well,” he added.

In the Pune tie, the Lankans were benefitted by the Indian batsmen’s discomfort on a wicket that assisted some pace and bounce. So much so that the Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni made no secret of his displeasure about the track.

However, the Ranchi pitch will probably behave in a different manner, Kapugedera said.

“This pitch looks different from the Pune wicket. It looks dry and we have to see tomorrow how it behaves and then decide our final line-up accordingly,” he said.

Asked whether the pitch could take turn, the Sri Lankan batsman was not too sure about it. “It is hard to predict… It could be a good batting track. We can’t predict too far. We just have to go with the conditions and then see what happens,” he said.

Kapugedera sounded diplomatic when he was asked for his views on the grassless and somewhat uneven outfield of the ground.

“Yes, it’s not the ideal ground or outfield, but you have to put that apart and do what’s necessary. It’s beyond our control and we have to play the match anyway. It doesn’t look that bad, there’s just sand and that’s okay,” he said.

Asked whether the poor conditions of the outfield could cause injury to the fielders, Kapugedera said he did not think so.

“It’s an international game and there won’t be a drop in standards due to the outfield. We’ll lift our game more. You have to be more careful while fielding… We’ll put the bodies behind and do our best,” said Kapugedera.

For Sri Lanka, the much experienced Tillekaratne Dilshan is available for selection, after recovering from a hand injury. He is likely to take the place of Niroshan Dickwella. After their pacers dominated the Indian batsmen in Pune, Lanka will probably look to give the quicks another run, though the wicket wouldn't be of the same nature. And as far as spin is concerned, there is enough cover in the form of Milinda Siriwardana and Dilshan, who is a good enough part-time spinner.

(telegraphindia.com)