Captains foresee close Test series

Indian Test captain Anil Kumble is in no mood to lament cricket-weary Mahendra Singh Dhoni's absence from the squad and believes it is a gilt-edged opportunity for stumpers Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel to prove their mettle.

"This would give an opportunity to both Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel to prove themselves after their good showing in the domestic cricket," Kumble said.

Though Kumble oozed confidence that his side would live up to the expectation in the series, the seasoned campaigner admitted it would not be a cakewalk for the visitors.

"It will be a tough series and will require a lot of hard work," Kumble said.

Kumble's opposite number Mahela Jayawardene too felt the series would be hard-fought. According to him, Sachin Tendulkar's return to the Indian side would lend much depth to the visiting batting line-up.