Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara believes that his team's exit from the 2011 World Cup final against India due to injury was costing him dearly. 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 hamstring injury.
Regarding the six-wicket defeat at the hands of India, the former Sri Lankan captain said that due to Mathews' injury he had to adopt a 6-5 combination and that was the reason he had to decide to bat first after winning the toss. Sangakkara said in an interaction with Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Instagram, "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 important match.
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'. '
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