Wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara on Sunday sympathised with Indian batsmen for the humiliation they received at the hands of Sri Lanka's dreadful spin combination -- Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis -- in their first cricket Test at the SSC.

Sangakkara felt it was indeed a difficult ask to be up against the duo, especially while chasing a mammoth target of 600.

"India were rightly disappointed after their batting in the first innings, but you have to give credit to Murali and Ajantha," Sangakkara said.

"As a batsman, I'd certainly not want to face them in these conditions replying to 600 for 6 declared," he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Times in Colombo.

Indian batsmen were handed an innings and 239-run defeat by Sri Lankans with a day to spare in the first Test, on Saturday.

Sangakkara said the major credit goes to the old master Muralitharan for shaking the Indian batsmen.

"It showed why he is the world's best bowler with a masterful exhibition against the Indian top order."

But Sangakkara admitted Mendis' presence would be a great help to Muralitharan as he reduces pressure on the off-spinner while increasing it on the opposition batsmen.