Such as been the frequency of India-Sri Lanka contests of late that the sight of Kumar Sangakkara and his team almost triggers an instinctive ‘again?’

The Lankans are here for a full series — three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s — but they seem more like neighbours who have jumped across a fence for their daily dose of cricket rather than professionals who have flown across the Indian Ocean.

The last time Sri Lanka visited India for a Test series was in 2005-06, and in both seasons after that India travelled across for full series, followed by a bilateral or triangular one-day contests. Apart from that, India also visited Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup in 2004.

Considering that they have landed in India just as the Aussies have closed out a fiercely contested one-day series, this is just the kind of tour that could provide the marketing men some headaches (they are still searching for the title sponsors, incidentally).

But Sangakkara’s concerns are different as he embarks on this India sojourn. “We haven’t won a Test match in India and that’s what we are here for. The team might be inexperienced in certain departments but that sometimes helps as the rivals aren’t used to playing against them,” he said.

Apart from names such as Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan and Mahela Jayawardene, reading the Sri Lankans team list is a tongue twisting exercise. Though India have played them often, there are several newcomers with impressive records they will be facing over the coming days.

... contd.