JOHANNESBURG, March 24: Sachin Tendulkar said he could take no joy from his Man-of-the-Tournament award after India’s World Cup final defeat against Australia on Sunday.

“I am extremely disappointed,” he said after India slumped to a 125-run reverse.

“More than being the man of the series, I would have been happier if we had lifted the trophy.”

Tendulkar was handed his award by former West Indies all rounder Garfield Sobers for amassing a record 673 runs but was dismissed for four on Sunday after Australia set India a daunting target of 360.

Looking highly charged and full of adrenalin, Tendulkar hit a boundary but then mis-cued Glenn McGrath’s fifth delivery and skied a return catch.

Tendulkar dismissed suggestions that he had failed to play a major role when his team needed him most.

“I think we play as a team,” he said. “I don’t play as an individual.

“The bottom line is we play as a team.”

He added: “When we won the toss, I thought we had a fair chance because there was a fair bit in the track. Unfortunately our bowlers had an off-day.”

Tendulkar was left to praise Australia captain Ricky Ponting for his innings of 140 not out, the highest score in a final.

“Ponting played an important role,” he said. “They (Ponting and Damien Martyn) just kept taking singles.

“It was in the last 15 overs where it really took off.

“I would surely rate this innings as one of the best.”—Reuters