Our top-order can tame Mendis: Kumble

8220;He is something we need to watch out for, although we respect every bowler we face,8221; Kumble said at a media briefing after the team8217;s arrival in Colombo for a three-test series.

8220;Test cricket is different and we have the quality. Our middle order has more than 30,000 test runs and four of them have played more than 100 tests.8221;

8220;In tests you get more time to figure out the bowler. It will be challenging, but I am sure our batsmen will cope.8221;

A confident Kumble was also pleased to have a full-strength bowling line-up for what he expected to be a tough series.

8220;We have Zaheer Khan back in the team and his experience bowling in subcontinent conditions will be useful,8221; said Kumble.

8220;There is also Ishant Sharma who has really progressed well as a seamer and we have Harbhajan Singh back as well.

8220;We have had a good combination and in the last one year or so we have been really consistent with our performances, that8217;s something which we will take forward.8221;

8220;Whenever we tour Sri Lanka it8217;s always been tough. It will be a lot of hard work and we are ready for that.8221;

India begin their tour with a three-day practice match against a Sri Lanka Board XI starting July 18.

The first test starts on July 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.