Lanka keeper did not know he had broken world record

Ahmedabad:

Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper-batsman Prasanna Jayawardene did not know he had broken a 72-year-old sixth wicket partnership record with Mahela Jayawardene till he was informed by team manager Brendon Kuruppu.

"I didn't know about the record. I came to know only after the game when the manager told me that I had broken a world record. It's nice to achieve something and I am quite happy about it," said Prasanna after placing his team in the driver's set with the record sixth wicket stand of 351 with Mahela.

Prasanna also notched up his highest Test score in the marathon seven-hour stay at the crease. He remained unconquered on a superb 154 in a massive team score of 760 for seven declared, the second-best total in all Tests against India by any team anywhere.

His senior partner Mahela made a brilliant 275, the best against India by any visiting team player in their own backyard.

Describing his knock as very special, the 30-year-old Prasanna lavished praise on experienced Mahela for guiding him during the duo's massive partnership.

"It's an important knock both personally and for the team. Mahela's role in helping me to go on to make a big hundred was crucial. He made it so much easy for me. Hopefully the knock will turn out to be a match -winning one," Prasanna said.

He also came hard at his detractors and said he has always contributed with the bat whenever his team required and there was no pressure on him to perform.

"I have been made to understand that I have not been among the runs, but if you take a look at the last few series, whenever the team wanted runs I have contributed. But for some reason there's a thinking going on that I have not been contributing with the bat. I didn't think too much into that.

That wasn't much of a pressure as well and I would like to think that I was able to fulfill what was required by me," he said.

Prasanna also expressed confidence that the visitors can win the ongoing Test if they do their basics right in the final day on Friday.

"We have set a good target and we are on top at the moment. We have a good base and we will build on from that. We want to do the basics right. We have a lead of around 200 and India will be under some pressure. We came to India as a team with one goal, that is to win a Test Match and the series.

That's the sole aim," he said.