Chennai: Kumar Sangakkara, the hero of Sri Lanka's victory over New Zealand at the Wankhede stadium, was a tired man at the end of the day.
He batted for over 40 overs on Friday, hitting a century in the process and also kept wickets before taking a fine catch and a stumping.
However, without exhibiting any signs of tiredness he talked at length about his innings and his team's victory after the match.
What was your first impression when you won the toss?
When we won the toss, we knew the first 10 to 15 overs were going to be difficult, so we just rotated the strike and kept wickets for the end. When we started batting, the wicket was a bit soft. So the idea to dig deep and rotate the strike worked out well.
How pleasing was it to get a century and also cross the 9000 run mark?
It's always nice to score runs and be among runs but our real test will be the next match, in the quarter finals. Scoring runs in that match will be much better. Winning games is more important than the statistics. Hundreds are important but making hundreds in a winning cause makes it better.
So can we say all the veterans contributed to your team's victory?
(Smiles) Being called veterans is something very hard to accept. Yes, Mahela (Jayawardene), Murali and I all chipped in with some important contributions. But then that's what our role is all about and that is why we get respect.
How inspiring was it to see Muralitharan perform and play a part in the victory?
He bowled beautifully. It is great he took four wickets on one-leg (Murali had played with a bruised knee). But then he has produced such performances earlier too. It just goes on to show how hungry he is for a good show. It was definitely something special today.
From your team's point of view how significant is this victory?
It is always nice to win but at the same time we have to be realistic. This win may be good for our confidence and can give us a big boost but we all know that the real test is in the quarters and it is yet to come.
Do you fancy any opponents that you would like to meet in the quarterfinals?
All teams are the same. In tournaments like the World Cup, teams lift their performance levels.
It's a fact that to win the World Cup you will have to beat the best. Also, the format is such that you may get knocked out if you have one bad day. So every team is tough. We will just have to wait and see whom we face in the quarters and then plan accordingly.
So what will be your next strategy?
We will pick our side according to the opposition. Every player in our squad has a specific role and if they fulfil their roles it should be easy for us.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Sri Lanka's trio of senior players are paving the path for youngsters to follow at the World Cup, says skipper Kumar Sangakkara.
Sangakkara led by example in making a fine 111 off 128 balls and also shared a vital 145 runs with his deputy Mahela Jaywardene to pull the team out of early trouble in a Group A match against New Zealand on Friday. Veteran off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan then took 4-25 despite a nagging leg injury as the Black Caps were dismissed for 153 to lose by 112 runs.
"That's what our role is all about," said Sangakkara.
"We have to show our responsibility and do justice to the kind of seniority we have."
The Sri Lankan skipper was all praise for Muralitharan, who is set to retire from international cricket after the World Cup.
— With inputs form AFP
