MS Dhoni admitted none of the Indian batsmen could pick up Ajantha Mendis, who snared six wickets in the final on Sunday.

Dhoni, speaking to STAR Cricket after the 100 run thrashin was effusive in his praise for the 'mystery spinner': "Mendis bowled a consistent line. Frankly, none of our batsmen picked him up."

"He came on in the 10th over and started the rot, getting (Virender) Sehwag. We could never recover after that, losing some quick wickets. We were in a position to recover."

Dhoni acknowledged that it is disappointing to lose finals with alarming regularity. The Men in Blue have lost 18 of the 22 finals they have played since 1999.

However, the Indian skipper said it was also a good sign ot reach so many finals: "It is good to reach the finals but yes it is disappointing to lose so many of them."

MSD was happy with the way his batsmen performed but hoped the wickets would assist the bowlers more during the Champions' Trophy: "I hope the bowlers find something to cheer about in the Champions' Trophy. Otherwise, scores of 300-320 would be chased down regularly."

"Most of our batsmen did well, had good strike rates and did well consistently."

A jubilant Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene who defended the Asia Cup title said he always knew a target of 300 would not be on in the finals: "We knew 270-280 would be enough and we had two spinners to put India in trouble."

"We were in trouble when Sehwag was blasting our bowlers early on. But Mendis was brilliant. Infact everybody chipped in. (Chaminda) Vaas, Murali and all the bowlers were exceptional."

"We had to put pressure on the powerful Indian batting line up and that is what we did. I am proud of the way the bowlers performed."

"I think Sanath Jayasuriya was the difference between the two teams. He came in and did what he does best. We had lost four early wickets but he just stuck to his task."

Sri Lanka were 66 for four at on stage but Jayasuriya never stepped off the gas and butchered the Indian attack to rattle off 125 off 114 runs.

Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup for the first time outside Sri Lanka, a fact that did not escape the captain: "Yes, it is a monkey off our back. We did not have a great 2008 and it is nice to get back in the winning circuit."