By IANS,
Karachi : Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni attributed his team’s crushing defeat to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final Sunday to his batsmen’s inability to read young spinner Ajantha Mendis.
Dhoni said that everything went according to the plan for India except for dealing with Mendis – Sri Lanka’s secret weapon – who took six wickets to pave the way for Sri Lanka’s title defence with a 100-run triumph in the final.
Mendis, 23, took 6-13 to skittle India out for 173 runs as they faltered badly while chasing Sri lanka’s 273 on a batting paradise.
“We were just outdone by him (Mendis),” Dhoni told reporters. “None of our batsmen could read him properly,” he added.
Dhoni also praised a stunning hundred by swashbuckling Sanath Jayasuriya, saying that it brought Sri Lanka back in the game.
Dhoni rejected the impression that his side, which has a habit of losing in finals, did not have big game temperament.
His Sri Lankan counterpart Mahela Jayawardene praised his team’s “killer instinct” saying that it helped them to defend the title.
He was all praise for Mendis and Jayasuriya and added that Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup triumph will help them in their up coming home series against the Indians.