Chennai, July 18 (ANI): The Indian cricket team left for Sri Lanka on Wednesday to play five one-day internationals (ODIs) and one Twenty20 match against the islanders.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni along with his deputy Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Gautam Gambhir, Ajinkya Rahane, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Rahul Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Ashok Dinda arrived at Chennai Airport with support staff.

India's tour of Sri Lanka begins from July 21, 2012.

The series against Sri Lanka would also serve as a recce tour, as the island nation will be hosting the Twenty20 World Cup later this year. (ANI)