India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that the experience of Harbhajan Singh would be sorely missed by his side in the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka but said it provides an opportunity to young spinners to prove their mettle in spin-friendly tracks in the island.

"Harbhajan has been our pick of the spinners for some time. Whether you are bowling first or second or bowling in powerplays, he is the person. We will miss him as pitches here give assistance to spinners," Dhoni said at a joint press conference with home team skipper Mahela Jayawardene after reaching the island nation yesterday.