Wondering who made this statement? Clue: It is a Sri Lankan fast bowler who has now retired from all forms of cricket.

Chaminda Vaas was vying for a swansong at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 alongside fellow Sri Lankan cricketers, Sanath Jayasuriya and Muthiah Muralitharan. However, only Muralitharan got the chance in the World Cup edition that saw Sri Lanka make the final against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai but failed to overcome the hosts for the ultimate prize.

Lamenting on the loss of opportunity, Chaminda showed tremendous belief in his own abilities as he reiterated defiantly that India would not have got past Sri Lanka had Vaas was opening the bowling as he has for Sri Lanka for the longest time before losing the faith of the Sri Lankan selectors. Chaminda Vaas though was speaking on the sidelines of a Twenty20 benefit in his favour, reflecting on what may have been.

The Indian cricket team though may have different ideas about the final and while cricket does not give one the opportunity to go back in time and imagine a different result, Vaas is perhaps not taking a dig at the Indian cricket team as much as he is sending the message that he is still good enough for the game and that he firmly believes in the skills that took him to be Sri Lanka’s premier fast bowler through Sri Lanka’s cricketing hey days which included their World Cup in 1996.