That thing about not winning a Test series in Sri Lanka for 22 years has been bandied about enough times now; the buildup is done; the talking, thankfully (yes, you Ravi Shastri) is over. It is time for the 22 players on the field to do what they do best – play some good old Test cricket.
In India's case, Test cricket hasn't been too kind to them in the recent past, with losses following them like a faithful puppy in New Zealand, South Africa, England and Australia.
If that puppy has come down to Sri Lanka or not will be known when Day 1 of the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka takes shape on Wednesday in Galle.
The nature of the wicket is not fully known – even if it is expected to be one of those usual Galle pitches, which will aid spin as the match proceeds -- but one thing that is clear is that there will be plenty of rain.
Rain was the deciding factor in India's last Test match as well – against Bangladesh – and hopefully, we can squeeze in all four innings somehow over the course of the next five days.
If we are able to get some cricket, it will be interesting to see how India fare. Under Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri, the five-bowler theory is going to come into play, meaning a lot more pressure on the batsmen.
So, no more airy-fairy shots, no more "Oh, that guy coming in next will pick up the slack". It is all about handling the pressure and ensuring you make that big score, if you get settled in the crease.
India have the bowlers to pick up 20 wickets on sub-continental tracks, it is just a matter of if they can show enough patience to do it.
"It's a great opportunity for this great bunch of boys to learn and grow as international cricketers and once you gain that sort of momentum you will see better understanding and better coordination on the field because everyone has gone through the same times together," said India skipper Kohli.
"I see that as a big positive and a big opportunity for all of us to improve massively as Test cricketers more importantly. Because we play so much Test cricket and T20s anyway that every member in this squad wants to do well and improve their cricket.
"So, personally I feel it's a very exciting time and great opportunity for everyone in the squad to learn and improve as Test cricketers."
While India will be hoping their Test cricket skills come to the fore, all of the attention in the Sri Lanka camp will be on that one man, who made batting look so easy for the past couple of decades.
Kumar Sangakkara will retire from all forms of international cricket after the second Test match of this series, and Angelo Mathews and co. will be determined to give this legend of Sri Lankan and world cricket the best possible goodbye.
India, on the other hand, will look to play the party pooper.
Where to Watch Live
Get the Day 4 Live Blog HERE
Day 4 Live Streaming Information is HERE
Day 3 as it happened and Score HERE
Day 2 as it happened of the 1st Test HERE
Get Day 1 Score and As it Happened HERE
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test, day 1 is schedule for a 10 am local time (10 am IST, 5.30 am BST, 12.30 am ET) start with live coverage in India and Sri Lanka on Sony Six (English) and Sony Kix (Hindi). The Test match can also be watched via live streaming online on Livsports.in.
Watch the match live in the US on Willow TV, while the game can also be live streamed on Willow TV Online.
