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 at The Wanderers.

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

Tendulkar was presented his award by former West Indies great 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 miscued 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."

India's quick bowlers Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra bowled poorly to concede 211 runs from their 27 overs, having shared 49 wickets and conceded less than four an over before the final.

Tendulkar was left to praise Australia captain Ricky Ponting for his innings of 140 not out, the highest score ever made in a World Cup 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."

Ponting shared in an unbroken 234-run third-wicket stand with Martyn, who hit 88 not out. They scored 143 runs in the last 15 overs.