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Galle: India cut a sorry figure on the opening day of first Test but Sri Lanka opener Tharanga Paranavitana refused to label their bowling as weak, saying the conditions were favourable for batting on Sunday.
"Indian bowling was not weak but the wicket was good to bat on. Only the odd ball turned. Otherwise there is no problem playing (in the pitch). If bowlers can bowl in the right areas they can get something from the wicket," Paranavitana, who remained unbeaten on 110, said at the post-match press conference.
"I am happy to get a century as I have got some 50s in Test matches. I am happy to get a hundred in the home soil against India," he said.
The opening batsman said once he reached his fifty he told himself to concentrate more to get a century.
"From experience in domestic cricket I know I had to concentrate more to get a hundred. I wanted to have the correct mindset to get a hundred today. My plan was to get the fifty first and then maintain my focus to get a hundred. I am happy I did that," he said.
"I also spoke to senior players about scoring big and their advice has helped," he added.
Paranavitana is hoping that rain does not play spoilsport as Sri Lanka has been placed in a strong position after reaching 256 for two on the opening day.
"I think if we can score 400 it will be a substantial total. I hope there is no interruption due to rain after we get into a winning situation. That will hamper our progress," he said.
Asked about debutant Indian pacer Abhimanyu Mithun, Paranavitana said, "He is good. With experience he will get better."
