Aravinda confident of Sri Lanka victory over India
Rex Clementine Fernando - 8 June 2001

Sri Lanka's veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva says he is confident of beating India in the forthcoming three-match Test series.

"We haven't beaten them in nearly 17 years," he said. "I am looking forward to this series and confident that we can beat them this time around."

Sri Lanka's famous victory in 1985 against India was the country's first Test victory, and that's been the only against India. In that game Aravinda made a fine 75 at the Oval in Colombo. He is also the only surviving member of that team, captained by Duleep Mendis.

The national selectors didn't recommend Aravinda when they were nominating players to be contracted by the Board. However, he is included in the pool of players which can be called upon to play if needed.

De Silva says losing the lucrative contract didn't bother him. "It's only a monetary thing. Probably they looked at certain aspects when they were awarding the contracts, I'm not bothered. I am looking forward to the Indian series."

De Silva has relished playing against Indian attacks. Last time when India were in Sri Lanka to play a two-match series, he made 392 runs in three innings. In all those innings he made hundreds and in the Second Test at SSC he made hundreds in both the innings.

© CricInfo Ltd.


Teams India, Sri Lanka.

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