Jayawardene wary of India backlash

The Indians may have had an indifferent tour of Australia but Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene cautioned his team-mates against complacency when the two teams clash in a crucial tri-series match here on Tuesday.

The Indians have to win their match against the islanders with a bonus point and then hope that Australia also beat Sri Lanka in their last league tie to qualify for the final of the tournament.

Till now, it has been a forgettable tour for the Indians, who lost all four Tests to Australia and have won just two of their seven matches in the tri-series. The pressure will also be on Sachin Tendulkar to regain his touch in what could be his last innings on the Australian soil.

“You never know,” Jayawardene told reporters on Monday when asked whether the Indian star could sign off on a high.

“I’ve played against him on so many occasions, he’s produced some brilliant individual performances. They’re a good side so you have to expect something different from them I’m sure because they need a big win,” he said.

“I have to feel for them. It’s been a long tour, especially when you’re not winning it becomes a much longer tour,” Jayawardene said.