Sri Lanka’s stunning victory over India in the World Twenty20 final underlines how success in hit-andrun cricket depends not just on form, but also how a team performs over those three hours in the field.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Indians went into Sunday’s final in Dhaka as the only unbeaten team in the tournament, having coasted through four league matches and the semi-final against South Africa.
But they faltered when it mattered most, their vaunted batting line-up managing just 130-4 in 20 overs against a disciplined Sri Lankan attack after being sent in to bat on a sluggish pitch.
If West Indies’ Darren Sammy is to be believed, the Sri Lankan Lions were destined to win because two of their stalwarts – Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene – were bidding farewell to Twenty20 Internationals.
“There were two gentlemen who gave a lot not only to Sri Lankan cricket but to cricket as a whole. May be the Almighty wants them to win a World Cup and leave on a high,” Sammy had remarked after a hailstorm scuppered his team’s chances and handed Sri Lanka a win through the Duckworth/Lewis method in the first semi-final.
Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene had been part of Sri Lankan teams that had failed in four attempts in the last seven years to lay their hands on a world crown despite making it to the finals.
Small wonder then the team said they wanted to win it for the two legends. However, Sangakkara, who played a lead role in the final with an unbeaten 52, said that they won it for every Sri Lankan.
He said: “It is wonderful that the side wanted to win it for us. But there are 20 million other people to win for. It’s not just about me or By Sudhir Gupta Lion-hearted display ends a title drought Sri Lanka showed great team spirit to be crowned victors Mahela. It’s about an entire squad, everyone who stands with you and behind you.
“We get noticed because it’s our last game, but at the end of the day everyone has played a part.”
Sri Lanka’s captain Lasith Malinga said the win had nothing to do with luck, but a lot of hard work and planning which brought them the victory.
Either way, it was down to winning the big moments, and that’s where Sri Lanka stepped up.
“I’ve played over ten years in this team, I know every single player, their ability, what they can do,” Malinga said.
“I enjoyed my captaincy in the last three games, I know exactly what particular players have what ability.
“I used that experience during my captaincy and I was successful. “
Anyone can say anything. Some say winning is luck, some say winning is talent. I really believe that we didn’t have luck.
“We worked hard, we know our ability, we can do that, everyone is talented, that’s why we won the match. I don’t believe in luck.”
While the Sri Lankans were deserving champions, India were not disgraced. Dhoni and Co didn’t necessarily play the most entertaining cricket – that honour was entirely West Indies’ – but they didn’t win ugly either.
Virat Kohli showcased the best of Indian batsmanship, Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra, to a lesser extent in the last few games, were a throwback to an era where bowlers outwitted batsmen through guile and clever variations.
The West Indies looked good till they lasted with their brand of cricket endearing all followers of the game while South Africa cobbled together a decent run until they got run over by a Kohli special.
Pakistan and England briefly flickered with promise but failed to take flight when it mattered the most.
Australia were a huge disappointment with their only win coming against Bangladesh. The hosts also failed to give a good account of themselves after making it to the Super 10 by the skin of their teeth.
The Netherlands were a revelation as they were not bogged down by the reputation of their rivals as they knocked down Ireland and England.
If the Dutch flew the Associate flag high, debutants Nepal and Hong Kong showed they cannot be taken lightly.
Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe had a poor tournament while debutants UAE’s lack of big-match experience hit them hard.
Sport 360° 2014 World T20 Team
Openers- Alex Hales, Rohit Sharma
Batsmen- Virat Kohli, Jean-Paul Duminy
All-Rounders- Darren Sammy (captain), Glenn Maxwell, Angelo Matthews
Wicketkeeper- Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Spinners- Ravichandran Ashwin, Samuel Badree
Fast Bowler- Lasith Malinga
