World Twenty20: Sri Lanka's delight at ending run of final defeats
Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara felt a mixture of pride and relief at Sri Lanka's World Twenty20 victory.
Last Updated: 06/04/14 8:09pm
Sri Lanka beat India by six wickets in Dhaka to end a run of four final defeats in global limited-overs tournaments.
Both Jayawardene and middle-order colleague Kumar Sangakkara were part of the Sri Lanka teams beaten in the final of the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and 2009 and 2012 World T20s and, having tasted success at last, will now retire from T20 internationals.
"Finally we've managed to end the jinx," said Jayawardene, who contributed 24 to Sri Lanka's successful chase of a 131 target.
"This victory is for the fans who have been waiting a long, long time - since the 1996 (World Cup win) - for this. They have supported us through thick and thin.
"There was a lot of emotions today with it being our last T20 game and having been unable to get over that final hurdle.
"We've been through and analysed those previous final defeats. It's tough, hopefully now we can just go and enjoy this victory. I don't think it's really sunk in yet.
"We've been very consistent and played some good cricket over the last 10 years and this is the icing on the cake."
'No words'
Sangakkara was named man-of-the-match for his 52 not out, his first major contribution with the bat during the tournament.
"It's been a long time coming, more than six years and five finals," said Sangakkara.
"I can't be happier or prouder. The side carried me all the way through to the final, I didn't do much other than keep wicket. I'm happy I was able to do something back for them and be a part of such a great side and win a World Cup.
"It means everything to play for Sri Lanka. My family and then playing for Sri Lanka are the two most important things to have happened in my life.
"There are no words to explain the pride we feel. The guys are an amazing bunch and we wear these colours with a lot of pride and love."
Slow wicket
Virat Kohli top scored for India with 77, taking his tally to 319 runs in six innings and earning him man-of-the-tournament honours.
But India failed to capitalise on his efforts, Kohli was largely a spectator at the non-striker's end as only 19 runs were scored in the final four overs of their innings.
"Virat was the only one who looked fluent but that was after (facing) quite a few deliveries," said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I felt the wicket was stopping slightly more in the first half of the game because it had been under the covers (pre-match due to rain) for quite some time.
"If we could only have got an extra 10-15 runs... But cricket is always about those extra 15 runs."