SL would look to reach 550 tomorrow: Dilshan

With Sri Lanka in the drivers' seat after the first day, senior batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan said his side would look to reach 550 on Tuesday so that their spinners can apply pressure on the Indians in the second Test in Colombo.

"Tomorrow the pitch would be good for batting. We are looking to score more than 550 runs. I think it will be a good total. Third and fourth day it would start to turn and bounce," Dilshan, who contributed 54 in Sri Lanka's 312 for two on the opening day, said.

"Once we put on a big total we can get opportunity for our spinners to apply pressure on Indian batsmen. We have good bowlers like Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Dhamika Prasad and Suraj Randiv in the side to do that though Lasith Malinga would be missed," he added.

Dilshan said the Sinhalese Sports Club pitch was a typical flat wicket and rarely the Sri Lankan batsmen were troubled by the Indian bowlers.

"I think today there was no time when the batsmen were in trouble. The wicket really helps batsmen. After the first three or four overs, I feel easy to bat. I think it is not easy for the fast bowlers to bowl on this track.

"At start there was something for bowlers so Sangakkara and Paravitarana had to watch out in the first session. After that they batted without taking any risk. All the three batsmen batted really well. Mahela Jayawardene is also batting well," he said.

He defended his team's decision to go with four bowlers as they have an all-rounder in Angelo Mathews.

"I don't think we should play five bowlers here. We have Angelo Mathews and he is an all-rounder. If we play another bowler than they should drop a batsman. I think it is a right combination we are playing," he said.

Dilshan was happy that Tharana Paravitarana, who scored 100 today, has matured as an opener as he has learnt not to squander chances to score century.

"Definitely he is doing really well. He has done well in the domestic season. Earlier he used to struggle while getting near his century. Now he is able to handle it when he gets into his 70s and 80s. He is getting matured and getting more 100s," he said.

"We have a good understanding though I was upset that I got out on 54," he added.

Asked about magical doctor Eliyantha White whom he had visited during his finger injury, Dilshan said, "I took some medicines from him after I fractured my finger. It was really helpful to me. I recovered quickly and it healed quicker. I think he is really a magical doctor."

"I went twice to him and it was really helpful to me. The doctor gave me some small liquid medicine to consume and the recovery was fast," he said.