Shastri To Keep The Indian team Top In the world

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New India coach Ravi Shastri will Wednesday look to maintain his team's number one status in Test side when they take on Sri Lanka in the first of three matches in Galle.

 Shastri, who took over the demanding role after Anil Kumble resigned last month, has backed India to continue the "fearless brand of cricket" that helped them regain the number one position last year from Pakistan.

 While India lost the Champions Trophy final to their arch-rivals, the Virat Kohli-led side is on a roll after winning 10 of the last 13 Tests, overcoming top sides like New Zealand, England and Australia. "They know their job. They are professional cricketers. Once they step on the field they take over. That is how it should be," said Shastri, who became head coach after Kumble quit over his "untenable" relationship with Kohli.

 "My role will be to get the guys to express themselves and play a fearless brand of cricket," the former all-rounder added. 

 The visitors have played a two-day warm-up game in Colombo with returning batsman Shikhar Dhawan among the scorers. Meanwhile Indian opener Lokesh Rahul, who scored a half-century in the practice game, was ruled out of the first match due to viral fever. 

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