Sri Lanka will have to curb an inspired Sachin Tendulkar, on the threshold of another landmark, as it attempts to win a Test series in India for the first time. Sri Lanka has not won any of the 14 matches it has played in India since its first Test visit in 1982, but skipper Kumar Sangakkara feels has the potential to pull off a surprise in the three-Test series. Sri Lanka is second behind South Africa in the official Test rankings and is looking to extend its winning streak after defeating Pakistan and New Zealand at home by identical 2-0 margins in July and August. To achieve this, however, it will have to contend with Tendulkar's hot form and a strong home side that is rallying to give the record-breaking batsman a winning start to his 21st year in international cricket. Tendulkar, 36, will join a list of 15 players whose international careers have spanned more than 20 years when he plays in the first Test starting at the Motera Monday. The Mumbai batsman holds the record for most Test runs (12,773), Test centuries (42), ODI runs (17,178) and ODI centuries (45) and hit a stirring 175 in the ODI series against Australia this month to underline his good form. “I am enjoying my game and there is a lot of cricket left in me,” Tendulkar told reporters this week. Tendulkar made his Test debut as a chubby, curly-haired 16-year-old against Pakistan in Karachi on Nov, 15 1989. “You run out of superlatives for Sachin,” Sangakkara told a news conference on Sri Lanka's arrival. Sri Lanka is missing the express pace of Lasith Malinga and the tourists are banking on all-rounder Angelo Mathews to lend balance to an attack led by record-breaking spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Spinner Ajantha Mendis proved a handful for the Indians when they were beaten 2-1 in the Test series on their tour of Sri Lanka last year. Only Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan in a strong batting line-up have Test experience in India although Thilan Samaraweera is in excellent form. The hosts, who have been strengthened by the return of left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan from a lengthy injury layoff, suffered a one-day series defeat to Australia this month. India has also to make a quick switch to Test cricket as it has endured a gruelling six-month schedule of limited-over cricket. Sangakkara said the pressure was on India. “We have a lot of work to do but we are here to do well and try and win and change all this never winning a test match in India,” he said. “Responsibility is on India to stop us from doing that.” The remaining two Tests will be played in Kanpur (Nov. 24-28) and Mumbai (Dec. 2-6). Yousuf calls for unity Newly-appointed Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf called for unity from his side Saturday ahead of its tough three-Test tour of New Zealand, saying it would be a double test for his players – on and off the field. “My main target is to unite the team because our religion also teaches us to unite for a cause and the New Zealand tour will be a tough task for us,” Yousuf said. The 35-year-old replaced Younus Khan who opted to rest following Pakistan's 2-1 defeat in the one-day series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan won the two-match Twenty20 series 2-0 Friday. The team flies to New Zealand Sunday where the first Test opens in Dunedin on Nov. 25. Younus blamed lack of unity and control from the players as the reasons behind his decision to take “time out” – but Yousuf believes the team members are professional enough to regroup for a tough tour. “I am sure all the players realise their duties,” said Yousuf. “For me all the players are equal and I will treat them on an equal basis. We will definitely miss Younus but I have asked the selection committee to bring in Misbahul Haq as replacement.”
