It will be a cracker of a match when Sri Lanka face India today at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, after both teams won their opening matches in the Asia Cup, and both sides will be looking to top the table.
Sri Lanka vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal said yesterday that his team was not overly worried about Virat Kohli's fine form as his side's bowling attack can unsettle the Indian batting, following the Lankan’s 12-run victory over defending champions Pakistan – in which paceman Lasith Malinga took five wickets.
"India are a very good side, especially in last two three years they have been playing good cricket. Virat Kohli is batting exceptionally well. They have some really good players but we got bowlers like Malinga. So we will see tomorrow (today)," said Chandimal.
However the 24 year old added that his side is also in good form as they are doing well in all departments of the game. "We are also doing well at the moment. Everyone in both batting and bowling departments are in good form. We are looking forward to a good job."
Kohli smashed a match-winning 136 to set up India's 280-run chase against Bangladesh on Wednesday and break their eight-ODI winless streak.
"We all know, he is a really good batsman. But as I said we have something in our mind and we will see it on Friday. We are keeping our fingers crossed," said Chandimal.
"They played really special. They are good at chasing but we have a good bowling attack. We have something in our sleeves for them tomorrow so we are looking forward to do that."
Malinga's match winning 5/52 against Pakistan had given them a winning start and Chandimal said they would look to take early wickets to expose the inexperienced Indian middle order without Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"It is crucial for us to get early wickets. With Dhoni not in the middle-order, we might be in a good chance if we can take early wickets. Everyone is fit and looking forward to the match."
Having come in Bangladesh in January for a full series, Sri Lanka would have the advantage of knowing the conditions better, Chandimal noted. "We are here for quite some time, we know the conditions better like when the dew is going to play a role and how the wicket would behave, we have got the advantage.”
For India, fast bowler Varum Aaron – who was restricted to bowling 7.5 overs after delivering two beamers in the first match against Bangladesh – will likely be replaced by Ishwar Pandey.