Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has said his team is eager to renew the rivalry with India in the three-Test series.

"Personally, I have a couple of milestones against India. I made my Test debut against them and also scored my first Test double-century against them. It's a pretty good team for me to play against," said Jayawardene.

"We thoroughly enjoy playing India at home or away. It's always been a tough challenge. There is good rivalry with our neighbours."

The elegant right hander made his Test debut in 1997 against India and then rattled off 242 against them during an Asian Test championship match in 1999.

Jayawardene said the series would be fought very closely as both the teams are evenly matched.

"Every time we have played them, there has been good cricket as both the teams have some quality players. I am sure the public will have a great series to watch," he said.

Sri Lanka hosted India for a Test series way back in 2001, winning 2-1 after a close contest. The tourists were without key spinner Anil Kumble and batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who were injured.

The Master Blaster is now just 172 short of eclipsing Brian Lara's world record of 11,953 Test runs.

"We are going to treat Sachin in the same manner as anybody else in the Indian camp. It will be a great milestone if he achieves it, but our focus will be on winning the series," said Jayawardene.

India open their tour with a three-day practice match in Colombo on Friday. The team will also play five one-day internationals after the Test series.