Team India in Colombo

Indian cricket team, led by Anil Kumble, arrived to play a three-Test series against Sri Lanka starting July 23. One-day and Twenty20 team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has opted out of this series, citing fatigue caused by non-stop cricket. The Indians will start their campaign with a three-day practice match against Sri Lanka Board XI from Friday. They play their first Test in Colombo from July 23. The Test series would be followed by a five-match ODI series. India has won only one of the four Test series they have played in Sri Lanka since 1985. Their previous tour in 2001 ended in a 2-1 defeat.
The Sri Lankan fans are eagerly waiting to witness Indian cricket maestro Sachin Tendulker reach yet another historic landmark by breaking West Indies Brian Lara’s record of maximum Test runs. He needs 172 runs to overhaul retired Lara’s record of 11,953 runs in Tests. At present, the 35-year old Tendulkar, playing his 20th international season, is on 11,782. Tendulkar, who made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1989, has so far played in 147 Tests, scoring 39 centuries and 49 half-centuries, averaging 55.31. Lara, who retired at the end of 2006, made 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries in 131 Tests, for an average of 52.88.