India will come back from defeat: Ganguly

August 17, 2001

After a humiliating loss, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly came up with some brave words and predicted that India would come back into the three-Test series against Sri Lanka just as they did against the mighty Australians earlier this year.

"We will come back as we did against the Aussies," Ganguly said after India suffered their first Test defeat to Sri Lanka in 16 years.

"(Unfortunately) we have got injuries to a few key players," he said referring to the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman from the side.

"They (Sri Lankans) batted better (than us) and bowled a decent line especially on the third day," Ganguly said conducting a post-mortem of the ten-wicket loss.

Not ready to accept that India were a very different team outside their own soil, Ganguly said that his team had won a match abroad, against Zimbabwe, in recent months.

"(And) we have been in winning positions on a number of occasions abroad but have not been able to capitalise... Now we have got the potential and have a much better batting side. We have four or five good guys," he said.

A jubilant home skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, who was declared the manof-the-match for his brilliant century that set the tempo for his team, lauded his bowling attack.

"First Dilhara (Feranando) and then Murali (Muthiah Muralitharan) bowled well. I'am happy for Dilhara and we've got a host of fast bowlers coming up," he said.

© PTI

	Email

Watch our daily Cricinfo SportsCenter news round-ups Available on Cricinfo.tv     Fantasy cricket: India v Australia and Bangladesh v New Zealand Login to check the standings     Live scores, news & ball-by-ball commentary on your phone Cricinfo Mobile

Series/Tournaments

India tour of Sri Lanka

Teams

India

Sri Lanka