AHMEDABAD, India, (Reuters) – Sri Lanka will have to curb an inspired Sachin Tendulkar, on the threshold of another landmark, as they attempt to win a Test series in India for the first time.
Sri Lanka have not won any of the 14 matches they have played in India since their first Test visit in 1982, but skipper Kumar Sangakkara feels has the potential to pull off a surprise in the three-Test series.
Sri Lanka are second behind South Africa in the official Test rankings and are looking to extend their winning streak after defeating Pakistan and New Zealand at home by identical 2-0 margins in July and August.
To achieve this, however, they will have to contend with Tendulkar’s hot form and a strong home side that is rallying to give the record-breaking batsman a winning start to his 21st year in international cricket.
Tendulkar, 36, will join a list of 15 players whose international careers have spanned more than 20 years when he plays in the first Test starting at the Motera on Monday.
The Mumbai batsman holds the record for most Test runs (12,773),Test centuries (42), ODI runs (17,178) and ODI centuries (45) and hit a stirring 175 in the ODI series against Australia this month to underline his good form.