The India-Sri Lanka series is a huge challenge for Coach Gary Kirsten. His boys faltered badly against the Lankan spin power at the Asia Cup. But Kirsten who is still to register a series win in his stint with India, is hoping that skipper Anil Kumble and his team will do him proud this time around. TIMES NOW's Correspondent Mikhail Vaswani spoke exclusively to Gary Kirsten about Dhoni's absence, the seamers and Sri Lanka's Ajanta Mendis.
Mikhail: There is a lot of talk imbalance in the side with Dhoni not being there. How balanced is team India with the absence of Dhoni?
Kirsten: I think it is well balanced. He has been replaced by two keepers who do similar jobs like his. They can't really be a change in the balance. Obviously we will miss his experience.
Mikhail: The Indian side sees the comeback of Zaheer Khan. You have Ishant Sharma and RP Singh who can generate bounce and do well with the delivery.
Kirsten: I think it is a great opportunity for the seamers as well. Zaheer is back and he is a very experienced bowler in these tough conditions. He also has a lot of value to add to the younger players and would almost lead the pack in many respects. Ishant Sharma has been bowling exceptionally well in the last six months now. So, there are some good players coming through and its an opportunity for them.
Mikhail: Sachin Tendulkar approaching another big milestone and there will be a lot of anticipation. What is the exact focus for team Indian keeping in mind Sachin's record?
Kirsten: It is fantastic for all the players to have a great like Sachin in the team and there has been no conversation around him reaching his milestone. I think rather he would want to win a series in Sri Lanka than reach his milestone because that is going to happen anyway. It will be nice if it happened in the first innings of the first Test match.
Mikhail: How would you describe Mendis as an opponent bowler?
Kirsten: He is a fantastic talent and one needs to give credit where it is due and he is something new.
Mikhail: Talking about the opening pair. Gautam Ghambir and Virender Sehwag have been phenomenal in the shorter format of the game. Is that boosting the Test side right now?
Kirsten: I have been with the team only for three or four Tests. Certainly it is very important to have an opening combination that is firing in the Test side and they are playing very successfully. They are good mates and they have played very well for the one-day team. We feel they can do something at the Test match level as well.
Tags: cricket icc bcci india sri lanka tour gary kirsten msd ms dhoni
![Dhoni's Huge Six against Malik [His Biggest One???]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MaV_xHu8NaU/default.jpg)
