MUMBAI, Aug 4: India coach Greg Chappell warned his players on Friday to prepare for slow Sri Lankan pitches and an in-form home team during this month's one-day tri-series.

“Sri Lanka and South Africa are tough competitors,” he said. “Sri Lanka are a different team from the one we played in India a few months ago.”The tri-series will be played from Aug 14-29.

India claimed their first Test series victory in West Indies for 35 years last month, but suffered an unexpected 4-1 defeat in the one-dayers.

Sri Lanka were thrashed 6-1 by India late last year, but displayed ominous form to rout hosts England 5-0 last month.

India have not won a one-day series featuring three or more teams for four years.

Chappell blamed a lack of focus for the Caribbean defeat, but dismissed it as a “blip on the radar screen” and said it could spur the team during the World Cup in the West Indies.

“Maybe that was fortuitous,” he said. “It taught us some lessons about playing one-day cricket in the West Indies which may be useful somewhere down the track.”

The Australian, who completes one year in the job, added:“We've gained ground in all fronts, as a team and as individuals.”

He backed his predecessor John Wright over comments in his recently published book which have generated much heat in India.

The former New Zealand captain has criticised India's zonal system of appointing selectors, angering the board and selectors.

“I've read some of the excerpts from the book and I think he's made some positive comments about Indian cricket and India,” Chappell said.

“Knowing John as well as I do, he's a decent human being and a very honest fellow. He'd have given a very honest opinion of his experience.”—Reuters