Though the Twenty20 format is such that unexpected results are the norm, the 2014 World T20 has seen the pre-tournament favourites enter the final on the back of some strong individual and team performances.
India have dismissed teams with utter disdain, winning all their matches convincingly and proving their class while chasing and defending totals.
Virat Kohli has been by far and away the most dominant batsman of this World T20, scoring 242 runs in five outings with three half centuries.
He has been ably supported by Rohit Sharma (171 runs from 5 matches) while the rest have done enough to see India through.
Their bowlers have been in excellent form too, with Ravichandran Ashwin’s 10 wickets from five matches at an economy of 4.91 and leg-spinner Amit Mishra’s nine scalps from five matches at an economy of 6.38 paving the way for India’s victories.
Though their fielding has been sloppy at times, it can be attributed to the heavy dew at some of the games.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, entered the final on the back of a win via the Duckworth/Lewis method in the rain-affected semi-final against title holders West Indies.
The match was shaping up for a close finish, with the Windies needing 81 runs from 6.1 overs with six wickets in hand, when the heaven opened up and sent the Lankans through.
Also, the Islanders suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of England in the group stage as Alex Hales blazed a century to chase down the 190-run target.
Looking at the way both teams have made their way to the title clash, one can’t help but back India to come out trumps.
MS Dhoni’s boys have shown consistency, the batsmen have been among the runs and the bowlers on fire. Also, India have more options in the spin department, with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja offering a strong option as the third tweaker. Sri Lanka have Rangana Herath and Sachithra Senanayake, who has been reliable at best.
And then, there is Sri Lanka’s poor record in the final, losing their last four ICC title clashes. India know how to win the big matches and have done so effectively at the 2011 World Cup and last year’s Champions Trophy. So it won’t be a surprise if they complete the limited overs set today.
