Kumar Sangakkara

Very proud of everyone, especially Jayawardene but looking at the Indian team, with the kind of batsmen they have, anything under 350 would look very less. The Indians have been the deserved winners, they thoroughly deserve the tag ‘favorites’. Congratulations India, you were the better side. The only way to stop the Indians was to take wickets quickly, they played in front of a fantastic crowd and Gambhir played exceptionally well. Dhoni stepped up when it mattered the most.

Mumbai, Apr 1 (IBNS) Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara Friday dismissed suggestions that his team was the underdogs and said India are the first favourites as they carry the "weight of expectation" in Saturday's World Cup final. 

Both the teams are chasing their second World Cup title. India hasn't won the World Cup since 1983 while Sri Lanka’s first World Cup win was in 1996, when the tournament was held in the sub-continent.

"I don't think so (being underdogs) because we have been playing well as a unit for the last couple of years. We have to accept the fact that the Indians, for the last two years, have been tagged as the

favourites by almost everyone to win the World Cup," he said.

Sangakkara said all his boys are excited to play the final.

"Everybody in the squad is excited, but it is good too see that it is a sort of controlled excitement. It is a huge occasion and the boys are determined to win it. The World Cup means a lot for the country.

The nation has come through a very tough period. Lot of people laid down their lives and hopefully in this new future we can bring back the World Cup for Sri Lanka," he said.

"We have to play tomorrow as well as we can. Four years back we were outdone by a fantastic innings by Adam Gilchrist. This time we won't allow that to happen and even if it happens, hopefully we will have the mental aptitude to adjust and get back in the game," Sangakkara said at the Wankhede Stadium.

"We have to keep ourselves grounded. Tomorrow's strategy is very simple: score more runs and take quick wickets," he said.

Sri Lanka will be without key all-rounder Angelo Matthews while champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is racing against time to get fit.

"We have flown in covers for the injured players and we will make ongoing assessments as the day goes along. We will take a final decision by the evening as to who is fit to play and also decide on

the combination of the team," Sangakkara said.

"Murali's presence is always valuable. He is a big match player. It's great to have him in the side. It will be great to have him tomorrow in the World Cup final," Sangakkara said.

"Whatever happens tomorrow we want to play for him and play for each other and do the best that we can."

"It's hard to shut Murali up, whatever his mood is. He's pretty upbeat. He's always talking, laughing and annoying most of the other players in the dressing room. Today's been no different," said Sangakkara.