Skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan said that fielding lapses at vital stages let them down as the Sri Lanka Legends had to be content with the runners-up position in the Road Safety World Series Cricket Tournament final played in Raipur, India on Sunday.
India Legends, who were put into bat, amassed a formidable 181 for four wickets and then restricted Sri Lanka Legends to 167 for seven wickets in 20 overs.
“We bowled well in the initial overs but we dropped an important catch of Yusuf (Pathan), which was a much needed wicket at that stage,” Man-of-the-Series Dilshan said after the final.
“Congratulations to India Legends on their win. Yusuf took the game away from us,” said Dilshan who finished as the highest run-getter and highest wicket-taker of the tournament.
“Anyway, I am happy with the boys who have played well throughout this tournament,” he stressed.
“Sanath (Jayasuriya) batted really well. The Indian Legends team bowled and fielded well. It was a good tournament, we all enjoyed it,” Dilshan pointed out. “We had some great crowd and great facilities and not to forget the Sri Lankan cricket fans who always gave their blessings.”
“I know they are disappointed with our defeat but we are proud that the Sri Lanka Legends team gave a good fight until the last over,” he explained.
Meanwhile, India Legends Skipper Sachin Tendulkar congratulated his team members and the support staff for a wonderful performance throughout the tournament.
“This win is incredible. This is what we have been here for, to win this trophy. This wouldn’t have been possible without the crowd support,” he said after the final.
“In the last couple of overs we had to call the support staff to field and we have all been strapped really.” “This tournament is really important and I hope, as six teams, we have been able to spread the message across about road safety.”
“I would like to applaud all the teams for coming in and supporting us, this is one message all of us are trying to spread all around the world,” he added. “It feels very good to play. This is my first series after retirement and I am really happy with the win,” Man-of-the-Match Yusuf Pathan said after the final.
“In the last three games we played some really good cricket. Yuvi (Yuvraj) has been hitting them really well. I really enjoyed playing with my brother Irfan as well,” he elaborated.
“I really enjoyed every moment of this tournament and we hope to celebrate this grand victory,” he added.
