Sri Lanka's confidence will be very high going into the series Rahul Dravid

Dravid said: "Sri Lanka are playing very good cricket at the moment and are always difficult opponents at home.

"And let's not forget South Africa. They are the number two team in the world. Any side that chases down a 400-plus score has to be explosive."

South Africa surpassed Australia's 434-4 in a stunning match in April.

Herschelle Gibbs, who smashed 175 off 111 balls in that match, will spearhead the South African batting.

But the Proteas are also missing three players in Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Justin Kemp, while Makahay Ntini is also a doubt.

Dravid believes Sri Lanka will be different rivals from the side that India thrashed 6-1 at home last year.

He said: "It's a new series, a new game and we will have to be at our best to win.

"Sri Lanka has been pretty strong at home in the last few years and are also playing good cricket abroad. Their confidence will be very high going into the series.

"I think the England tour (where they won the ODI series 5-0) turned their team around.

"They have some class batsmen - and then they have Muttiah Muralitharan.

"He is a great bowler whether he is playing Test cricket or one-day cricket."

India's first match is against Sri Lanka next Wednesday after Monday's opener between South Africa and the hosts.

Heavy rains, meanwhile, washed out the practice matches Sri Lanka and South Africa were scheduled to play on Friday.