Since 2007, Sri Lanka played in three World Cup Finals – one against Australia ( World Cup 2007 – West Indies), one against Pakistan (T20 World Cup 2009 – England) and one against West Indies ( T20 World Cup 2012 – Sri Lanka). On all three accounts, their captain had to stand at the place of the losing captain and be a mute spectator of the winning celebrations of the winning team.
Their fate seemed sealed once again as they cruised into the final of T20 World Cup 2014 at the Shere Bangla Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh against the mighty Indians. Both the teams were favorites, and the match was well anticipated despite the ubiquitous nature of India-Sri Lanka matches.
ALSO READ: IPL 2018: X-Factors of Mumbai Indians
Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga won the toss and chose to chase the target. The decision proved impeccable as there were early signs of batting difficulty. Sri Lanka began excellently as they snapped up Ajinkya Rahane with the Indian score being 4/0 after eight balls. Rohit and Virat started rebuilding the innings but Mathews and Herath kept planting the speed breakers on road.
By the end of 15th overs, India was at 95/2. A poor score but a great platform to hit out and get somewhere near to 160. Virat Kohli sensed the opportunity and launched himself on Kulasekara. The over produced 16 runs with two boundaries and a six in first three balls. India was on the move.
Or so it felt at that moment. The Sri Lankans demonstrated great resolve in death bowling and kept India under a tight leash. They trapped the struggling Yuvraj Singh on strike making him play most of the deliveries. In the next 13 balls, Yuvraj played 9 and scored four runs of them. MS Dhoni who came in to bat next found run-scoring difficult and scored four runs off his seven balls. The duo of Yuvi-Dhoni scored only 8(16) in the last four overs.
ALSO READ: IPL 2018 (Mumbai Indians): Jayawardene doesn’t see as favourite, Rohit confident on squad
Virat Kohli, who was batting not out 50-plus at the other end was stranded and he faced only 1/3rd balls of the last four overs. Virat was runout on the last ball trying to steal another run, he ended up with 77(58). The outside off-stump yorkers from Sri Lanka kept India down to only 130/4 which was way below par a defendable total.
The almost run-a-ball total should have never been a problem. Nevertheless, India was right into the game by the end of the third over with Sri Lanka being 12/1. Jayawardene and Dilshan smacked three boundaries in the fourth over to deflate the tension. It was a smooth sailing from there onwards.
ALSO READ: IPL 2018: Doordarshan Will Also Be Telecasting Few Matches
The champion batsman Kumar Sangakkara took control of the chase from one end. He along with the Sri Lankan middle order ensured that the required run-rate never crossed 8 runs per over. Sri Lanka achieved the target with 13 balls and six wickets remaining thus becoming the T20 World Champions.
For his spectacular effort of 52*(35), Kumar Sangakkara was declared as Man of the Match. This was also the last T20I match for both Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. The duo that uplifted the Sri Lankan batting to new heights bid goodbye to T20 cricket with a shining trophy in their hands.
