SRI LANKA CRICKET WORLD CUP FINAL

TILLAKARATNE DILSHAN: “HIGH HOPES” AND “FULL CREDIT TO INDIA”

(BBC exclusive)

Dilshan: The team had high hopes of winning the World Cup but it is very sad that we lost to India in the final.

I have only taken part in two World Cups, but it is sad – really a very bad feeling – that Sri Lanka were runners-up on both occasions.

Full credit to India. India played better cricket, they outplayed us in all three areas – batting, bowling and fielding.

I would have been happy with my performance had I stayed in for 10 more overs and built a better partnership with captain Kumar Sangakkara.

After Upul Tharanga went early, as a result of Zaheer Khan’s superb bowling, I was forced to take a step back and made sure I stayed in. If I had stuck with my natural game and played aggressive shots, there was a danger of India taking my wicket.

I think it was the most unfortunate occasion I got out during the tournament. The ball did not touch the bat – it hit my armguard, my pad and then hit the stumps.

I am sure had I stayed in a bit longer, we would have scored more than 300 which in turn might have changed the final result.

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