2011 World Cup final- Sangakkara explained the reason for Sri Lanka's defeat

2011 World Cup final

Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara believes that Angelo Mathews's exit from the team in the 2011 World Cup final against India was costlier. Host India then won the title after 28 years. Mathews, who played a key role in the thrilling semi-final against New Zealand, was forced out of the final played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai due to a muscle strain.

Regarding the 6-wicket defeat at the hands of India, the former Sri Lankan captain said that due to Mathews' injury, he had to adopt a combination of 6-5 and that was why he had to decide to bat first after winning the toss.

Must Read: Decision on T20 World Cup 2020 to be taken on 10th June

Sangakkara said in an Instagram conversation with Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, "When I look back, I see the biggest thing in that World Cup final. You can leave the catch and do such things. But it was a combination of the team and we were forced to make changes in the crucial match.

Mahela Jayawardene's unbeaten 103 also did not work, and India won the title by scoring Gautam Gambhir's 97 and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni )'s unbeaten 91 runs. Sangakkara said, "If Angelo Mathews were fit, we would have liked to chase. I cannot say for sure that this would have changed the result. The balance that Mathews gave us when he came out to bat at number 7 was really like a bonus. '

Also Read: India Tour of Australia 2020-21 Schedule and Venue

He said, 'If you look at our whole campaign, then Mathews' ability to bat according to circumstances with the over and tail batsmen was a bonus for us. He was a young player then and used to understand the situation and play from the beginning. He knew how to control the bowlers and when to score fast runs. 'Ashwin also asked about the confusion created during the toss at that time. Sangakkara finally won the toss and decided to bat first.

Sangakkara said, "A large number of spectators had arrived for the match. This has never happened in Sri Lanka. It happened once in Eden Gardens when I could not even talk with the first slip fielder and after that, it happened in Wankhede. I remember I asked for the toss and after that Mahi (Dhoni) was not sure and he asked if you said 'Tail' and I said no I said 'Head'. '

Also Read: Winning moments of World T20 Championship 2007

He said, 'The match referee actually said that I have won the toss but Mahi said that it is not so. There was a bit of confusion and Mahi said that we do the toss again and the head came again. I cannot say that it was luck that I won the toss. I think if India had won the toss, it could have batted first. '