We can handle Mendis, says Dravid

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India will tour Sri Lanka for their three-Test series next month better prepared to deal with whatever comes their way, said team senior Rahul Dravid at the launch of the 2010 Limca Book of Records here on Monday.

Referring to off-spinner Ajantha Mendis who took 26 wickets when the Indians last toured in 2008, Dravid pointed out, “He played a major role in the series. But hopefully, we have learnt our lesson.”
Mendis repeatedly ran through the Indian batting in his debut series two years ago as Sri Lanka beat India 2-1 in the three-Test encounter.
Dravid however, said since then the Indians had since got the measure of the “mystery spinner”. “He is still a good bowler. He was completely new to us when we toured Sri Lanka last time. He got the measure of our team last time, there is no doubt about it.
“I think we played him pretty well when he came to India. We learnt how to tackle him. Having said that, international bowlers keep improving, international bowlers come up with new tricks every time. But hopefully we will have the answers to whatever Mendis throws at us this time,” Dravid said.
Dravid — who sat out India’s last Test series against South Africa with a shattered cheekbone — felt the three-match Lanka series, which gets under way at the seaside town of Galle on July 18, would be a challenging one.
“Sri Lanka are a formidable team and they play tough cricket at home. In the last two times we travelled there, we won a Test match but did not win the series. It is a positive sign to win a Test there but it is now important for us to keep that performance going right through.
“It is going to be a challenge but we have a good team. We have bowlers who are capable of taking 20 wickets, which is important to win a Test. If we can put runs on the board, hopefully we will have a good series,” the former India captain added.
On how he had prepared for the tour, Dravid replied, “I did not need to make any particular adjustments in my batting for the series. I have been training for the last six weeks. Sometimes, it is a bit of a challenge to return to Test cricket after a long break but there is preparation time in Sri Lanka.
“I am looking forward to some match practice before the series.”
Dravid also congratulated Saina Nehwal, who won three consecutive international titles in a span of three weeks to jump to the third position in the world rankings. “It is a phenomenal achievement by Saina.
“She is a great inspiration for a lot of Indians. It is incredible to win three competitions in three weeks in a sport like badminton which is physically very tiring. She has set benchmark for a lot of youngsters.”