Seniors have a lot to prove

Of the five specialist batsmen who have played in the island nation before, Mohammad Kaif seems to enjoy his cricket the most. He averages over 38 on Sri Lankan soil as against his career average of 31. Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh have also managed to raise their performances. On the other hand, Dravid’s average dips though only marginally. The dip, however, is more significant in VVS Laxman’s case, who scores at an average of 26 as against his career average of 31.63.

On the bowling front, L Balaji is the only youngster who struggled in Sri Lanka, but Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Sehwag and Yuvraj have done well. Each of Anil Kumble’s wickets in Sri Lanka has come at more than 41 runs as against his career average of 30.67.