Sri Lanka need to forget past: Arnold

Sri Lanka are here to try and play, they are doing better now. You have to believe, try and perform to your potential RUSSEL ARNOLD, On the team

KOLKATA:Former Sri Lankan middle-order batsman Russel Arnold said on Thursday that the current touring squad must overcome the demons of the past to win their maiden Test in India.

Terming it a massive challenge, the cricketer-turned-commentator said: “Initially the challenge for them is to forget history. India have been a very difficult place to travel even for better Sri Lankan teams.

“The initial challenge is to forget how intimidating India have been in the recent past and perform to the best of ability,” the former left-hander said.

“You got to be realistic. India are in a good space at the moment. A lot of other teams envy India and their depth.”

There is a big divide between the two teams, but Arnold strongly hoped they would chal- lenge India after their success in Pakistan.

Having suffered a 0-9 humiliation against India at home across the three formats, Sri Lanka bounced back to defeat Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series.

“Sri Lanka are here to try and play, they are doing better now. You have to believe, try and perform to your potential.”

For India, this series is seen as a preparation to their gruelling South Africa tour early next year when they travel for two months to play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is.