India captain Anil Kumble believes his players will be better prepared to handle the rising threat of spinner Ajantha Mendis.

Mendis spun the island nation to victory in the final of this month's Asia Cup when he took six for 13 in a display that left many of the India batsman perplexed.

And while Kumble admits his players had struggled to pick the 23-year-old during that match, he believes his side will be able to counter Mendis' threat during the three-Test series which begins in Colombo next week.

Mendis is yet to make his debut in the longer form of the game and Kumble believes experience could prove crucial as the Indians go in search of their first Test series victory in Sri Lanka since 1993.

"This team has enough experience to handle any threat and spin has never been a problem," said Kumble on Monday.

"However, I think we need to respect every bowler and we are not going to take anyone lightly.

"In Test cricket you have a lot more time to ready and to get set.

"I've been talking to the players and obviously some of them found it difficult to pick him (Mendis). But, in Test cricket, you have the time to maintain the quality."

India have been in solid form on the Test stage during the past 18 months during which time they have won three of their five series.

Their only defeat in that time came away to Australia when they put the world champions under considerable pressure only to lose the series 2-1.

India are ranked second in the International Cricket Council's Test Championship standings and Kumble said his team were looking forward to strengthening their place behind Australia.

"In Test cricket we have done exceptionally well in the last year or so. We have been consistent," he said.

"So going forward, I'm sure we will be able to put on a good show and ensure we win the series."

The Test series will also herald the first trial of the umpire decision review system, with each team allowed three unsuccessful challenges per innings.

Successful requests, which result in the the umpire changing his original decision, will not be counted towards the limit.

Asked his opinion on the referral system on umpiring, Kumble said: "I think we will have to take it by the game. It will be the first time we will be using it. We will have a chat about it with the officials once we reach Sri Lanka and see how it goes."

Under the new system, a player may request the review of any decision taken by the on-field umpires concerning every dismissal with the exception of a 'timed out' decision.

Following a request, the decision will be referred to the third umpire who would then base his decision on slow-motion replays, Hawk-Eye technology for ball tracking purposes only and audio picked up by the stump microphones.

Hawk-Eye will not be used to determine future trajectory of the ball as usually shown on television broadcasts.

Kumble added: "From what I gather, it's the fielding captain who takes the call. But it depends on what sort of a situation you're in.

"Obviously if there is a little bit of indecision, you would have to go with what the wicketkeeper feels at that point in time because the captain may not be in a position to actually feel whether it was close and whether its worth referring. So it depends on what happens on the field.

"Obviously the captain can not take the call all the time. And you can't appoint one player to take a call on the decision."