India made just 66 in its last 10 overs despite having nine wickets in hand. “I think it's because of the IPL. Since I play in the IPL, I have a fair understanding of Indian players and I could control their batsmen and use my bowlers to contain them,” he said, without malice but keen to make his point. “I’ve learnt everything from the IPL. I'm really happy to play in the IPL.”
"I've played over ten years in this team, I know every single player, their ability, what they can do," said Malinga. "I enjoyed my captaincy in the last three games, I know exactly which player has what ability. I used that experience during my captaincy and I was successful. People can say what they want. Some say winning is luck, some say winning is talent. I really believe luck had nothing to do with our victory. We worked hard, we know our ability, we know what we can do. Everyone is talented and everyone performed well, which is why we are the champions. I don't believe in luck."
Warming to the captaincy theme, Malinga went on, “Any captain should have the ability to get the best out of all players – from the most experienced to the junior most. Only then can one build a team. Every captain learns from their past captains. That’s how new captains become great leaders in the time to come.
“Great captains like Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara graduated under skippers like Arjuna (Ranatunga), Sanath (Jayasuriya) and Marvan Atapattu. I, too, had the same exposure and that helped us a great deal. We've had four-five captains in our team who had loads of experience behind them. I took over from Chandimal and I thought that I should get everyone’s help. That's why we could win a World Cup after 1996. At the same time, there is a school of thought that a fast bowler cannot lead the team. I think I did justice for the pacers as well. If you can take wickets, you also have the ability to take up any responsibility on the cricket field.”
"I've played over ten years in this team, I know every single player, their ability, what they can do," said Malinga. "I enjoyed my captaincy in the last three games, I know exactly which player has what ability. I used that experience during my captaincy and I was successful. People can say what they want. Some say winning is luck, some say winning is talent. I really believe luck had nothing to do with our victory. We worked hard, we know our ability, we know what we can do. Everyone is talented and everyone performed well, which is why we are the champions. I don't believe in luck."
Warming to the captaincy theme, Malinga went on, “Any captain should have the ability to get the best out of all players – from the most experienced to the junior most. Only then can one build a team. Every captain learns from their past captains. That’s how new captains become great leaders in the time to come.
“Great captains like Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara graduated under skippers like Arjuna (Ranatunga), Sanath (Jayasuriya) and Marvan Atapattu. I, too, had the same exposure and that helped us a great deal. We've had four-five captains in our team who had loads of experience behind them. I took over from Chandimal and I thought that I should get everyone’s help. That's why we could win a World Cup after 1996. At the same time, there is a school of thought that a fast bowler cannot lead the team. I think I did justice for the pacers as well. If you can take wickets, you also have the ability to take up any responsibility on the cricket field.”
Jan 2010 
