Lanka an unfinished business

Virender Sehwag has been playing at different academies,on different wickets and against unorthodox bowlers in the run up to the three-Test series against Sri Lanka....

Virender Sehwag has been playing at different academies,on different wickets and against unorthodox bowlers in the run up to the three-Test series against Sri Lanka. On the eve of the teams departure,the India opener pays tributes to Muttiah Muralitharan but is clear he doesnt want to lose his wicket to the champion off-spinner.

Excerpts from a chat with The Indian Express:

How do you look at the upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka?

I am happy to be playing a Test match again. Its been some time now since we played Tests. I am really looking forward to it. It will be a tough series because we (India and Sri Lanka) have played each other a lot in recent times and we know each others game very well now.

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What do you do differently when preparing for a Test match?

It is not very different from the way I prepare for a One-day International or a Twenty20. I take the practice game very seriously. It gives me a good indication about what to expect. I focus on my batting rather than on what the opposition is doing. The only time I focus on the opposition is when I decide on which bowler to target.

Injuries must be frustrating… like the hamstring which ruled you out of the Asia Cup final.

Its very frustrating to say the least,especially when you are hitting the ball well and scoring runs. Suddenly you are forced to sit out. I hope that my quota of injuries are over now. I am absolutely ready for the Test series.

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How stiff a challenge is it playing Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka?

They have beaten most teams at home and they thrive on their home wickets. We have failed to win a Test series in Sri Lanka in the recent past. We have some unfinished business… like an unfinished assignment in Sri Lanka. We will definitely try to win this time.

The Galle match will be Muttiah Muralitharans last Test…

Murali has always been a very tough bowler to face. I am happy I wont have to face him in the second and third Tests. I am determined not to lose my wicket to Murali in the first Test. He will be missed though.

How seriously do you take your bowling?

Whenever and wherever I get an opportunity to bowl,I look to get wickets. We play with four regular bowlers and its their job to get us the wickets. But whenever they get tired or theres a partnership building,I can chip in and try and get a breakthrough.

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How important is it to make runs against the new ball in Sri Lanka?

The new ball tends to come on nicely on to the bat and its much easier to score than when the ball becomes older. On Sri Lankan wickets it gets very difficult to score as the ball grips the surface. The job only gets tougher against some world-class spinners.

Last time Mendis was a big factor. Will he still trouble Indian batsmen?

It depends… He had a really good series against us last time. But we have played him rather well since then. They didnt pick him in the one-dayers (Asia Cup). Even if he is not picked for the Tests we have to prepare for Rangana Herath and Suraj Randiv.