'India deserved to win'

Mumbai - Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said his team were disappointed at missing out on a second Cricket World Cup title but proud to go down to a team that deserved victory more.

"I am very proud of everyone in the team, especially Mahela (Jayawardene) who rose up to the occasion and put up a great hundred," he said, after India defeated his side by six wickets in the final at the Wankhede stadium.

Jayawardene scored an unbeaten 103 off just 88 balls to take Sri Lanka to 274-6 in the day-night clash watched by a capacity 30 000 crowd and millions more on television.

"When you look at this Indian team anything less than 350 is not enough. It has been a great tournament for us. The way India played they deserved the tag of favourites.

"Both Sri Lanka and India will be proud with the way they have played."

Sangakkara, who made 48, said the only way his team could have stopped India from winning the crown was to take quick wickets but that did not happen.

"India were the better side. They were fantastic tonight. The only way for us to stop India was to get at least seven wickets. Gautam (Gambhir) was outstanding and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni stepped up and performed.

"We are diappointed but the better side won."

Gambhir made 97 while skipper and man-of-the-match Dhoni finished unbeaten on 91.