"This Indian unit is a team with more depth and character. It is also a team that can fight back with batting or bowling and win."

The Indian team seems to have won another fan. Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore applauded their 183-run win against his side in the Super Six game at the Wanderers and indirectly pointed out to an India-Australia final.

"We weren't in the same park (as India). It is extremely disappointing. We are not playing well at all," he said.

Whatmore praised Sachin Tendulkar and coach John Wright for their role in the Indian revival. 

"Tendulkar is wonderful. He is the leading run-scorer by a mile. What he has done with the burden of expectations is phenomenal."

Whatmore also commended Wright's part in turning the Indian unit into a professional outfit.

"He is responsible for bringing in other areas of expertise with respect to the support staff. The fitness levels of the team are unbelievable. The physio (Andrew Leipus) has helped in enhancing the performance of the players.

"All we see is players score runs, bowl wicket-taking balls and take great catches but there is a lot that goes on the backside.  And John has done a great job with that."

He was rather vitriolic with his team and said that the players had gotten themselves into the current mess and they will get themselves out of it.

With a touch of sarcasm, Whatmore said that the only positive out of the game was the toss that Santh Jayasuriya won.

With two back to back defeats against India and Australia, the Lankans are staring down the barrel and unless they beat Zimbabwe in their last encounter handsomely they might be knocked out of reckoning for a semi-final spot.

Skipper Jayasuriya mentioned that he was concerned about Mahela Jayawardene's loss of form and would have to reconsider his role in the team for the next game.

Whatmore however concluded on a positive note when he mentioned the time in Australia when Sri Lanka was shot out for 62 against Australia A and then three days later roared back to score 340 against Australia in a VB Series encounter.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 9 Sub: Apology Maybe it is the time for Indian citizens to apologise to the cricket team and Sachin in particular. Especially those indulged in vandalism. Posted by Indian Sub: Time Wright got recognized For all the bad press that Wright received after the New Zealand tour, it is time his performance with the Indian team got its due ... Posted by Aj Sub: Good Spirit The best thing i like in this article is the sports men spirit shown by Mr.Whatsmore,we have been watching the couches giving various excuses on ... Posted by Shashikant Sub: In respect of Whatmore column. No doubt, Whatmore is a great coach, who helped Sri Lankan team to become a World Champion. But the performance given by the Lankan in ... Posted by Satish Sub: comments Its about time that the world began to fear an indian attack. The way in which Whatmore stated his words of praise about India is ... Posted by bhushan & naushad