India great Sunil Gavaskar has warned the Indian team not to take Sri Lanka lightly ahead of their crucial two-match Test series, stressing that the hosts are a formidable side on home soil.

The series, beginning on August 15, will be important for India’s bid to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, with Gavaskar urging the team to approach the contest with the right mindset.

“The two-match series in Sri Lanka won't be easy, as Sri Lanka at home are a formidable team,” Gavaskar wrote in Sportstar.

He said winning both Tests would provide India with a strong start to the new Test season and give the team valuable momentum in its WTC campaign.

Gavaskar also stressed that India’s qualification push would require significant effort and some luck, but above all, the team must maintain the belief that Indian cricket should come before any individual player, regardless of how big a name they may be.

The Shubman Gill-led India currently occupy fifth place in the WTC standings with a points percentage of 48.15, having recorded four wins and four defeats from nine Tests. Sri Lanka are sixth with a PCT of 41.67.

A 2-0 series win would lift India’s PCT to 57.58, although they would remain fifth. A 1-1 draw would leave them on 48.48.

However, a 2-0 defeat would be a major setback, with India’s PCT falling to 39.39 while Sri Lanka would climb to 61.11 and move into fourth place.

With India’s next two Test series against New Zealand and Australia, Gavaskar’s warning serves as a reminder that the visitors cannot afford to underestimate Sri Lanka or surrender valuable WTC points in the upcoming series.

– with Agencies inputs --