Cardiff: Having played an important role in India's win against Sri Lanka in the semifinal of ICC Champions Trophy, man-of-the-match Ishant Sharma said that his strength was the bounce and he stuck to it in the match.

“I think up front Umesh and Bhuvi bowled really well. The conditions were really favourable here. In the previous games the wickets were quite flat. I was just coming in and hitting the lengths; sometimes it just happens, but you’re not god, so you can’t pitch every single ball in the same spot,” said Ishant, who finished with the figures of 3 for 33.

Speaking about his role as a lead bowler, Ishant said, “I don’t feel like the leader of the attack. I don’t even consider myself the experienced bowler, because I have just played 59 ODIs. So we’re just helping each other out and doing work with the bowling coach.”

Meanwhile, having reached the ICC Champions Trophy final by beating Sri Lanka quite comprehensively by eight wickets in the semi-final, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that it was a very well written script for them from the word go.

"I think it is a well-written script. I was a good toss to win. Our bowlers gave us a good start and unfortunately Sri Lanka lost Tilakratne Dilshan due to injury. It had a huge impact on the match I guess and we capitalised on that. Then the spinners too bowled well,” said Dhoni, adding that it's important to have good bowlers in the side.

Talking about his bowling, Dhoni said that the ball was still doing a bit and therefore he thought of taking his chances. “Bhuvneshwar had already bowled 8 or 9 overs and we wanted to keep some of the fast bowlers' overs for the death. So with Dinesh Karthik around, I think might as well give it a go. I thought even if it goes badly, I'll bowl one over. It went okay so I bowled another,” said Dhoni, adding that England are a very good side.

“We have played a lot against them in the last couple of years. So in a way we know each other's strength and weaknesses," he said.

Meanwhile losing captain Angelo Mathews said, "The toss was crucial and we would have also bowled if we won the toss. The ball was seaming around, swinging around. The pitch was two-paced and our batsmen found it difficult. But credit should go the Indians."