First off day for Lankan bowlers – Mahela

Wednesday, 29 February 2012 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Captain Mahela Jayawardena in post-match comments said his bowlers had their first off day and failure to take wickets led to the defeat.

“Can’t do too much when they bat like that. We didn’t hit the areas well and didn’t pick up much wickets at the start and Kohli batted out of his skins. No pressure for them today and they batted very well. First off day for our bowlers and it was fair enough. They needed a boundary every over and they got it, assisted by our fielding slightly but taking away nothing from them. It’s good for us now and facing Australia for a place in the finals will be good,” Mahela said.

India’s Captain M.S. Dhoni described the match as “one of the best ODI game” he had been a part of.

“The start was crucial for us, it was not the quantity but quality that mattered. Later on, Raina, Gambhir and Kohli did very well to finish the game. 270 was the maximum target we had in mind, 321 was out of the world but the start was crucial and that helped us win. We will be shopping on Friday as nothing is much in our hands but we can afford to have a day off and wait for our mathematical chance,” Dhoni added.

Man of the match Virat Kohli said: “To be able to chase down 320 in 40 overs is something. We needed it to stay alive and it was good effort by our batting unit combined. I was just looking to play in, stick in and play my shots once I was set. Well it shows the character of our team, plans don’t work every time but today it did. If we play well, work hard, results will come. That’s how the tri-series goes at times and we will be rooting for Australia all out. It’s a satisfying win today.”