Tendulkar would have been happy to lose toss

COLOMBO, July 27: “Our bowlers should go back to the basics,” skipper Sachin Tendulkar said after Sri Lanka toyed with the Indian attack to annex the Pepsi Asia Cup at the Premadasa Stadium, here today.

There was nothing Tendulkar could do as captain when the bowlers — without exception — just did not have a clue where to pitch against rampaging batsmen. Tendulkar said that India batted badly initially but could have set a good target if they had been able to score around 265-270. The Indian skipper said that he chose to bat after winning the toss because he thought the wicket would break up and against a Sri Lankan attack comprising four spinners — Muthiah Muralitharan, Kumara Dharmasena, Ruwan Kalpage and Aravinda de Silva — it would have been inviting trouble. Which is why the team management dropped fast bowler Abey Kuruvilla and brought in Nilesh Kulkarni, who was not in the shortlisted 12 yesterday.

He said he would have been happy had he lost the toss as it would have taken the decision away from him. Tendulkar said that the Test series that follows would be a "different ball game".