'There's nothing lacking in team morale despite the Galle defeat'

'We have seen his (Chandimal's) videos and we will definitely discuss more about him in the team meeting'

'I don't think Indian batsmen struggle against spin'

IMAGE: India captain Virat Kohli, left, congratulates Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews at the end of the first Test in Galle. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

It may be Kumar Sangakkara's farewell game, but the Indian team's focus will be on the previous Test's hero.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra has vowed not to allow a repeat show by Dinesh Chandimal in the second Test, starting in Colombo on Wednesday.

Chandimal's unbeaten century helped Sri Lanka stage a turnaround and beat India by 63 runs after being in the dumps for the major part of the match.

"We have seen his (Chandimal's) videos and we will definitely discuss more about him in the team meeting. We will discuss how to bowl at him (if he tries a similar approach again).

"Fields will be set accordingly and the idea will be to try and restrict him to playing as few shots as possible and build as much pressure as we can. We will keep attacking him," said Mishra, after the team's practice session at the P Sara Oval on Tuesday.

IMAGE: Ajinkya Rahane celebrates with Amit Mishra after taking a catch to dismiss Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews off his bowling during the first Test in Galle. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

India have conceded a lot of wickets to spinners on recent overseas tours.

Moeen Ali and Nathan Lyon were two standout spinners against India in England and Australia. India's batsmen also faced a stern test against Rangana Herath and Tharindu Kaushal in the first Test.

But Mishra said they do not lack the skill to play spin.

"I don't think Indian batsmen struggle against spin; in fact, all our batsmen are among the best against spin. Whenever we bowl at them, even at nets, it doesn't look like that at all.

"What happens instead is that sometimes you lose one or two wickets under pressure. Anyone can make mistakes under pressure, but I don't think there is any lack of skill against spin," he said.

IMAGE: Amit Mishra is congratulated by India captain Virat Kohli after taking a wicket against Sri Lanka. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

Mishra also insisted that despite the shocking loss at Galle, the team's morale is high.

"We should have been more aggressive in our batting in the second innings at Galle and more positive. However, there is nothing lacking in team morale despite the defeat and we are looking to make double the effort in this second Test.

"We are playing Test cricket after a bit of a gap, so we made a few mistakes in Galle. But will work on them and improve. Whatever positives we got from that match, we will take them forward."

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