Suresh Raina has become the most capped ODI player - 98 – to make his Test debut. The left-hander, who has 2379 runs at 37.17 in one-day matches for India, said the wait had been worth it.
The earlier record was held by Australia's Andrew Symonds; he played 94 ODIs before figuring in his first Test.
"Now, I have received a good opportunity to make my debut. I have played a lot of ODIs. I have played plenty of first-class cricket. I am thankful to God for giving me this opportunity. The seniors in the side have helped me a lot. I will do my best. I am sure the team will do well. " Raina said.
Raina added, "I have worked on my technique and my mental strength. Things are looking good for me at the moment. Rahul Dravid is my idol. I have been following him for the last 10 years."
He revealed, "Yuvraj Singh was not feeling well last night. He told me that I should be ready for the match."
On India's performance on day one, he said "We bowled tight in the last two sessions. If we bowl well in the first session tomorrow, we can come back. We need to take wickets."
Even if the Sri Lankans progressed to a big total, the Indian batsmen would not be under any pressure, he said. "We have some good players who have a lot of experience overseas. A lot would depend on our approach."
He felt there was not much for the bowlers in the track at the SSC. "Under the conditions, we bowled well, especially our pacemen."
Raina also bowled four overs of off-spin and did beat Kumar Sangakkara outside the off-stump with a flighted delivery. "I have bowled in first-class matches. It is a challenge when you are not the main bowler and you need to chip in and bowl a few overs to help your side. I have been bowling in the nets. I was thinking of bowling different variations."
Tillekaratne Dilshan, who blitzed a half-century for Sri Lanka in the first session, said, "This wicket really helps the batsmen. After your first three or four overs, its is easy to bat here."
"We are looking to score more than 550 runs. That will be a good total. We can then apply pressure on the Indian batsman," he added.
Dilshan said Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana batted extremely well. He admitted that the Sri Lankan run-rate dropped in the final session. "Things can sometimes slow down in the final session.
Overall, I think 312 is a good total on the first day. On his opening partner Paranavitana, Dilshan said, "He has really matured. Earlier, he used to get nervous when he reached his 70s. Now he is scoring hundreds. We share a very good understanding. But I was really unhappy that I got out on 54."
Dilshan said both Dilhara Fernando and Dammika Prasad were capable of bowling over 140 kmph. "If they get some bounce and pick wickets, it will help us. I hope the spinners do the job for us in the second half of the match."
