Ishant believes Kookaburra ball will be a challenge in Sri Lanka

Ishant Sharma kick-started the Indian bowling group's tour of Sri Lanka with a fantastic spell that left no one in doubt about his capabilities as a pacer. Ishant found rhythm very early today as he produced a stunning spell of 5/5 in just 21 balls. The spearhead of the Indian pace attack was firm in his belief that the first thing to do to be successful in Sri Lanka is to try and adapt to bowling with the Kookaburra ball in these conditions.

Dealing with the ball was something Ishant stressed on repeatedly over the course of an interaction with media persons at the end of day 2 of he practice game."The major difference (between Sri Lanka and India) is the ball. They also leave some grass here so the ball is seaming and swinging a bit. As you can see we also lost three wickets and they (Sri Lanka Board President's XI) also lost quite a few wickets. The new ball is important and after that how consistent you are with the old is going to make a huge difference.

"Initially with Kookaburra ball, it swings and there was help for fast bowlers today. So I just stuck to basics. Even on this level it is important to stick to basics," he said and added, "That's what the practice game is all about. We have been discussing how to maintain the ball and what we will do, how we will bowl, in certain situations when the batsmen are set and the ball is old. So, all these things you keep thinking and keep talking to your bowlers."

As the most experienced member of the pace attack, Ishant carries the responsibility of trying to guide those around him as well. Answering to a query on that, Ishant felt that he would provide help by telling them about the need to adapt quickly."I just tell them to adapt to the situation. Test cricket is about how you bowl in different situations, especially with the Kookaburra ball. Because conditions are different from Australia, New Zealand, etc, it's not going to help much. The ball is going to swing for 12-14 overs so after that how you will bowl is really important when the ball is old," he said.

Four of Ishant's five victims today are part of Sri Lanka's Test squad, but Ishant didn't think too much about gaining that psychological edge over them."I don't really think about all these things. They are good batsmen so that's why they are playing for their country. I just keep hitting my lengths, I will do it and keep doing it."

Speaking about his five-wicket haul, Ishant said: "It was pretty good. (You pick up) more than wickets if you get overs in your bag, that's more important. That gives you confidence, so that's what I try to do. Ina practice game, it depends on how many overs we can bowl. Maybe tomorrow after lunch we can bowl two more sessions. We have two more days to practice before the test match so we can do enough before the Test."

He also admitted that there will be a change of role for the pacers in the sub-continent where the spinners will take centre-stage but believed that pacers too have an important role to play like he did today."To be honest, playing in Asia, fast bowlers need to believe in themselves because you will not get as many overs as spinners get because they will dominate more in Asia. Whenever you get a chance you need to make an impression because that's what you are here to do.You have to take it up as a challenge. It's easy to say it is hot or the pitch is flat, but the tough thing isto go out there and bowl 20 overs for the team and get those important wickets. If you are playing at this level, you have to do that."

His plan for Kumar Sangakkara is also quite simple."He is playing for his country and I am playing for my country. We played together only in IPL and this is aninternational match. So I will not think that he is playing his last game. I will go hard at him," he declared.