Sri Lanka will play their first Test under the new head coach – Chandika Hathurusingha in their upcoming series against Bangladesh. The 2-Test series is scheduled to start from 30^th January and will be followed by another 2-match T20 series.

Sri Lanka, after losing the first two ODIs under Hathurusingha, mounted a strong comeback and went on to win the tri-nation series by defeating Bangladesh in the final match. They will look forward to continuing their good run in the Test series as well.

Ahead of his first assignment in Tests as the coach, Chandika reportedly stated, “We know what is going to happen. Bangladesh have been playing good cricket here lately. It is going to be a challenge for batters for both teams.

 “We are trying to play to our strength. Sri Lanka has done well in the past in Bangladesh. We haven’t played a Test here in the last four years. Our record in Bangladesh is very good.

“We are all starting from zero. Whoever starts well have a bit of psychological advantage. I think both teams have played decent cricket lately.”

Regarding the team, he said, “Our Test team is a bit more settled than ODI team. The players know their role.”

Hathurusingha coached the Bangladesh team for more than three years before joining the Lankan side. After the Tigers’ tour of South Africa in 2017, he resigned from coaching the Bangladesh team. During his tenure, Bangladesh defeated England, Sri Lanka, and Australia in the longest format of the game for the first time since becoming a Test-playing nation.

“I know how Bangladesh have been playing lately. Their mentality. I know they are a very confident side at home. I can share a bit about the pitches here. There were two pitches prepared. We know they will probably decide today,” said Hathurusingha on Tuesday.