Indian skipper Anil Kumble said his batsmen let him down after his team went down 2-1 to Sri Lanka in the three Test series.

Speaking to a TV channel after the match, Kumble said: "It was important to get a good first innings total but that did not happen. The batsmen were not consistent and disappointed."

"We needed to get at least 250 runs to put pressure on Sri Lanka in the fourth innings."

Kumble was also not amused by the sudden spate of injuries that hit his players in the course of the third Test. While strike bowler Ishant Sharma could not bowl in the latter half of the first inninbgs and the entire second innings, Sachin Tendulkar had to come down at an unfamiliar number five.

"I have never seen so many players getting injured on the same day in a Test match. That did not help us and perhaps it took the game away from us."

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jaywardene was obviously ecstatic with his team, saying the guys showed a lot of character.

"We came back well after the defeat in the second Test. There were certain areas we had to improve and we worked those out. There were different contributions from different players and that helped us."

Jayawardene also said his team has been consistent over the last two or three years and needed to get even better.

"Our game is coming together. Murali, (Chaminda) Vaas, Sanga (Kumara Sangakkara) and a lot of the other guys are delivering."

The captain was effusive in his praise for his spinners, Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.

"Both of them bowled very well. A lot of credit to them because India had a very strong batting line up and we did not let them run away with big scores."

Jaywardene also singalled out debutant Dammika Prasad for special praise: "He has shown big heart. He bowled well, batted superbly and did not show any nerves."

The two teams clash for a five match ODI series from August 18.