Sri Lanka break World T20 jinx after six-wicket win over India
Sri Lanka achieved the paltry total of 130 runs at the loss of four wickets against India at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Mirpur.
Welcome to the coverage of the ICC World Twenty20 Final between India and Sri Lanka from the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Mirpur.
Sri Lanka achieved the paltry total of 130 runs at the loss of four wickets against India at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Mirpur. The Lankans have finally arrived to the party after two close finishes in 2009 and 2012. They were right on the money from the very first delivery today. They managed to exert pressure on the Indian batsmen with their disciplined line and length early in the innings and followed it up brilliantly with the bat. The paltry total of 130 runs was never a problem for the Lankans as they notched up the target at the loss of just four wickets and with 13 balls to spare. Kumar Sangakkara proved his class yet again for his team and anchored them to a deserving victory. The Indian team was definitely short of 20-30 odd runs and one would wonder how crucial was Yuvraj Singh's knock of 21-ball 11 today. The Indian spinners kept Dhoni & co. in the mix but Thisara Perera and Sanga inflicted the final blows to notch up the maiden World T20 title for their team. It's also a befitting farewell to Sri Lanka's veteran stars Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara who have decided to call it quits in T20s.
The Lankans have stormed into the ground as Perera EXULTS IN JOY. The Lankans have lifted Sangakkara on their shoulders and rightly so, following his MATCH-WINNING KNOCK today. What a SEND OFF for Mahela Jayawardene and Sanga here!!
Virat Kohli: I think Sammy was right. God indeed wanted Sanga and Mahela to finish with a title win #wt20 #IndvSL BleedBlue (@5secsofIVRox) April 6, 2014
Sri Lanka finally BREAK THE WORLD T20 JINX!!
17.5 overs: FOUR!! Thisara Perera skips down the track and swats it straight down the ground for a boundary. Perera scores the WINNING RUNS for the Lankans!!
17.2 overs: FOUR!! Kumar Sangakkara goes for the sweep and gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a boundary. Sanga brings up his HALF-CENTURY IN STYLE!!
17.1 overs: FOUR!! Kumar Sangakkara was looking to slog but gets a top-edge over the wicket-keeper for a boundary.
16.3 overs: SIX!! Thisara Perera stands tall and clubs it wide of long-on for the maximum.
16.1 overs: FOUR!! Kumar Sangakkara bends down and hoicks it over covers for a boundary. That was TIMED TO PERFECTION by Sanga!!
Sri Lanka require another 27 runs off 24 balls with six wickets in hand!!
SIX RUNS off the over!!
15.2 overs: FOUR!! Kumar Sangakkara hangs back and flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.
BIG OVER for Sri Lanka, fourteen runs off it!!
14.3 overs: FOUR!! Thisara Perera bends down and sweeps it fine for a boundary.
14.2 overs: SIX!! Thisara Perera goes on the front-foot and whacks it over long-on fence for the maximum. LUSTY-BLOW from Perera!!
With Kumar Sangakkara(26) and Thisara Perera(2) at the crease, Sri Lanka are currently at 84/4 after 14 overs.
THREE RUNS off the over!!
Thisara Perera comes to the crease for Sri Lanka.
12.3 overs: OUT!! Amit Mishra has got Lahiru Thirimanne out caught by the wicket-keeper. Sangakkara was looking to cut but gets a faint edge through to MS Dhoni behind the stumps. Lahiru Thirimanne departs after scoring seven runs off 11 balls with a boundary. Another BLOW for the Lankans!!
With Kumar Sangakkara(20) and Lahiru Thirimanne(7) at the crease, Sri Lanka are currently at 75/3 after 12 overs.
ELEVEN RUNS off the over!!
9.6 overs: FOUR!! Lahiru Thirimanne was looking to push and gets an outside edge past the slip for a boundary.
Lahiru Thirimanne comes to the crease for Sri Lanka.
9.5 overs: That's OUT!! Suresh Raina has got Mahela Jayawardene out caught at midwicket. Mahela goes for the slog and sends it straight towards Ravichandran Ashwin for a simple catch. Mahela Jayawardene departs after scoring 24 runs off 24 balls with four boundaries. BIG BLOW for Lanka!!
9.4 overs: FOUR!! Mahela Jayawardene waits for it and cuts it towards third man for a boundary.
ELEVEN RUNS off the over!!
Oh, I love that cracking sound off Sangakara's bat! Beautiful shot!! #IndvSL #wt20 Adil Khalil (@ADILawesome) April 6, 2014
8.4 overs: SIX!! Kumar Sangakkara bends down and flays the sweep for the maximum. Sanga keeps the RUN-RATE TICKING!!
8.1 overs: FOUR!! Kumar Sangakkara swivels across and sweeps it towards square leg for a boundary.
With Kumar Sangakkara(4) and Mahela Jayawardene(19) at the crease, Sri Lanka are currently at 47/2 after eight overs.
FIVE RUNS off the over!!
Suresh Raina will bowl from the other end for India.
BRILLIANT OVER by Mishra, just one run off it!!
Amit Mishra comes into the attack for India.
FOUR RUNS off the over!!
Kumar Sangakkara comes to the crease for Sri Lanka.
Ravichandran Ashwin GETS THE BREAKTHROUGH for India!!
5.5 overs: OUT!! Ravichandran Ashwin has got Tillakaratne Dilshan out caught at deep square leg. Dilshan was looking for the big shot but fails to get the elevation while Virat Kohli sprints across and takes a clean catch. Tillakaratne Dilshan departs after scoring 18 runs with 16 balls with four boundaries. BIG WICKET for India!!
5.2 overs: FOUR!! Tillakaratne Dilshan takes it on the full and swats it towards square leg for a boundary. Dilshan is LOOKING DANGEROUS here!!
First change, Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack for India. It's Ashwin vs Dilshan here!!
With Tillakaratne Dilshan(14) and Mahela Jayawardene(17) at the crease, Sri Lanka are currently at 37/1 after five overs.
TEN RUNS off the over!!
4.4 overs: FOUR!! Mahela Jayawardene goes for the scoop and gets a top-edge towards third man for another boundary. NOTHING WORKING OUT for India!!
4.3 overs: FOUR!! Mahela Jayawardene hangs back and steers it past the wicket-keeper for a boundary.
FIFTEEN RUNS off the over!!
3.4 overs: FOUR!! Tillakaratne Dilshan was looking to flick but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for the third boundary in the over. This is UNLUCKY for Mohit!!
3.3 overs: FOUR!! Tillakaratne Dilshan rocks back and clouts the pull towards square leg for another boundary.
3.1 overs: FOUR!! Mahela Jayawardene hangs back and steers it over the wicket-keeper for a boundary.
With Tillakaratne Dilshan(5) and Mahela Jayawardene(2) at the crease, Sri Lanka are currently at 12/1 after three overs.
FOUR RUNS off the over!!
2.2 overs: FOUR!! Tillakaratne Dilshan waits for it and clips it towards fine leg for a boundary. POOR LINE from Bhuvi there!!
EXCELLENT OVER by Mohit, a crucial wicket and just three runs off it!!
Wohooo one wicket is down of Sri Lanka... Way to go men in blue.... @msdhoni #IndvSL ArSha Priya (@KanuArSha) April 6, 2014
Mahela Jayawardene comes to the crease for Sri Lanka.
Mohit Sharma STRIKES ON HIS FIRST BALL for India!!
1.1 overs: That's OUT!! Mohit Sharma has got Kusal Perera out caught at mid-off. Perera was looking to go over the in-field but lobs it straight into the hands of Ravindra Jadeja for a simple catch. Kusal Perera departs after scoring five runs off seven balls with a boundary. EARLY BLOW for Sri Lanka!!
Mohit Sharma will bowl from the other end for India.
FIVE RUNS off the over!!
0.2 overs: FOUR!! Kusal Perera slashes hard and gets an inside edge towards third man for a boundary. Perera was REALLY LUCKY there!!
Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan are out in the middle for Sri Lanka while Bhuvneshwar Kumar will start the proceedings for India.
India have posted a moderate total of 130 runs at the loss of four wickets against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Mirpur. What an absolutely sensational performance by the Sri Lankan bowlers today. The Lankans were right on the money from the first delivery. They managed to exert pressure on the Indian batsmen with their disciplined line and length early in the innings and followed it up brilliantly at the death overs. Lasith Malinga dropping Virat Kohli was the only grey area for the Lankans. The Indian brigade has never been comfortable batting first with the stats showcasing their majority of wins arising from the chases. However, the in-form Virat Kohli did what he does best and was the only batsmen who looked convincing against their counterparts today. Rohit Sharma yet again failed to convert his start and succumbed to the pressure of scoring quickly. But, India lost the ploy in Yuvraj Singh who looked someone else in the Yuvi shirt. The southpaw struggled to score a mere 11 runs off 21 balls that surely hurt India at the end. The last four overs were crucial, but the Indian batsmen settled for a paltry 19 runs. The target is definitely below par and it will have to be one of Indian spinners to rise on the occasion if India intends to defend this total.
That's the END OF INNINGS for India!!
SEVEN RUNS off the last over!!
19.6 overs: OUT!! Virat Kohli has been run-out by Sachithra Senanayake. Kohli works it towards deep midwicket and had to go for the suicidal second run while Senanayake fired in a direct hit to catch him short at the crease. Virat Kohli departs after scoring 77 runs off 58 balls with five boundaries and four sixes.
Lasith Malinga will bowl the FINAL OVER for Sri Lanka. It's Malinga vs Dhoni now!!
BRILLIANT OVER by Kulasekara, just four runs off it!!
MS Dhoni comes to the crease for India.
I bet Team India and the fans WON'T MIND that considering Yuvi's strike-rate!!
18.1 overs: That's OUT!! Nuwan Kulasekara has got Yuvraj Singh out caught at long-off. Yuvi takes it on the full and instead of smashing it into the stands, he gives a simple catch to Kusal Perera. Yuvraj Singh departs after scoring 11 runs off 21 balls.
So, Team India have TWO OVERS at their disposal now. I reckon anything over 150 will be a bonus but with the way Yuvraj is batting, it seems that India MIGHT SETTLE for 140!!
With Virat Kohli(70) and Yuvraj Singh(7) at the crease, Team India are currently at 111/2 after 16 overs.
SIXTEEN RUNS off the over!!
15.3 overs: FOUR!! Virat Kohli picks the slower delivery and clouts the pull towards deep midwicket for another boundary in the over.
15.2 overs: FOUR!! Virat Kohli leans into the drive and creams it through covers for a boundary. PURE CLASS written on that!!
15.1 overs: SIX!! Virat Kohli stands tall and sends it sailing deep into the stands over the long-on fence for the maximum. Kohli is MAKING LANKANS PAY!!
Stat Update: Virat Kohli has EQUALLED Matthew Hayden's record of scoring FOUR FIFTIES in a World T20 tournament.
TEN RUNS off the over!!
13.6 overs: FOUR!! Virat Kohli reaches out for it and slices it towards third man for a boundary. Kohli is ON FIRE here!!
13.4 overs: Virat Kohli drills it past point for a single and brings up his fourth consecutive half-century. That's his 8th T20 FIFTY!!
With Virat Kohli(46) and Yuvraj Singh(3) at the crease, Team India are currently at 83/2 after 13 overs.
TEN RUNS off the over!!
Virat Kohli on song now. I hope, from a Sri Lankan perspective, Malinga hasn't dropped the world cup for his side. #IndvSL #WT20Final Cricket South Asia (@CricSAsia) April 6, 2014
12.1 overs: SIX!! Virat Kohli gets a big stride forward and smashes it over long-off for the maximum. Kohli KEEPS THEM COMING!!
11.4 overs: FOUR!! Virat Kohli skips down the track and drills it through extra cover for a boundary. That was ELEGANT from Kohli!!
ONE RUN off the over!!
Yuvraj Singh comes to the crease for Team India.
10.3 overs: OUT!! Rangana Herath has got Rohit Sharma out caught at short cover. Sharma punches it on the up and sends it straight into the hands of Sachithra Senanayake for a simple catch. Rohit Sharma departs after scoring 29 runs off 26 balls with three boundaries. Another BLOW for India!!
FOURTEEN RUNS off the over!!
9.6 overs: SIX!! Virat Kohli picks the slower ball and clubs it over deep midwicket fence for the maximum. There's NO STOPPING to Kohli!!
9.4 overs: FOUR!! Rohit Sharma makes room and slices it past point for a boundary.
With Virat Kohli(21) and Rohit Sharma(23) at the crease, Team India are currently at 47/1 after eight overs.
TEN RUNS off the over!!
Malinga could've taken that catch by his hair. It would've stuck. #IndvSL #t20final #t20 #INDvsSL Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) April 6, 2014
6.6 overs: SIX!! Virat Kohli shimmies down the wicket and bludgeons it over long-off for the maximum. Kohli has ABSOLUTELY NAILED it!!
Malinga's catching record is atrocious.11 taken & 9 dropped in last 3 years!! Who knows he might have dropped the cup tonight #IndvSL #wt20 Sri Harsha (@sriharsha73) April 6, 2014
6.1 overs: CATCH-DROPPED!! Lasith Malinga has dropped Virat Kohli at midwicket. Kohli was looking to whack it over the midwicket but sends it straight towards Malinga who fails it hold onto the ball. That's gotta be a MILLION DOLLAR CATCH!!
Rangana Herath come into the attack for Sri Lanka.
With Virat Kohli(11) and Rohit Sharma(17) at the crease, Team India are currently at 31/1 after six overs.
5.6 overs: FOUR!! Rohit Sharma stands tall and smacks it back over the bowler's head for a boundary. That was BEAUTIFULLY TIMED by Sharma!!
Lasith Malinga comes into the attack for Sri Lanka. It's time for TOE-CRUSHERS!!
EIGHT RUNS off the over!!
Star Sports showing Kohli weak zone. Takes an imaginative man to create that unobtainium of a package. #WT20 #IndvSL Vivek Mathur (@vivek0802kumar) April 6, 2014
4.2 overs: FOUR!! Rohit Sharma hangs back and pummels the pull towards deep midwicket fence for a boundary. POOR LINE from Senanayake!!
First change, Sachithra Senanayake comes into the attack for Sri Lanka. It's Senanayake vs Kohli here!!
With Virat Kohli(8) and Rohit Sharma(4) at the crease, Team India are currently at 15/1 after four overs.
Stat Update: India have won nine against Sri Lanka's eight matches in tournament finals.
A little victory for Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli has already played 4 Dot Balls. In Semi Final, in whole innings he played three dots. #IndvSL (Live WT20 2014) (@PakPassion_U) April 6, 2014
SIX RUNS off the over!!
2.1 overs: FOUR!! Virat Kohli leans forward and flicks it through midwicket for the first boundary in the innings. CRACKING SHOT by Kohli!!
EXCELLENT OVER by Mathews, a crucial wicket and just one run off it!!
One wicket down. Bad news for Srilanka. Virat Kohli comes in. #IndvSL #IndvsSL #wt20 #wt20final Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) April 6, 2014
Virat Kohli comes to the crease for India.
1.3 overs: That's OUT!! Angelo Mathews has bowled Ajinkya Rahane on a good length delivery. Rahane was looking to whack it over midwicket but misses it as the ball rattles the stumps. Ajinkya Rahane departs after scoring three runs off eight balls. EARLY BLOW for India!!
Angelo Mathews will bowl from the other end for Sri Lanka.
TIDY START by Kulasekara, just four runs off it!!
Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane are out in the middle for India while Nuwan Kulasekara will start the proceedings for Sri Lanka.
Lasith Malinga has won the ALL-IMPORTANT toss and placed MS Dhoni brigade in an UNFAMILIAR SITUATION of batting first. Get ready for ACTION!!
Good decision by Sri Lanka to bowl first. In T20s, Kohli averages 25.6 batting first and 82.7 batting second #wt20 #INDvSL #? N.T.RAMARAO (@tarak9999_FC) April 6, 2014
Toss: Sri Lanka have won the toss and decided to field first against India.
Match Update: So finally we will have the TOSS at 6:40 pm(IST) while the match will KICK-START 7:10 pm(IST). Also, to everyone's joy, there's NO REDUCTION in the overs!!
Good News: The rain has FINALLY STOPPED and the covers are BEING TAKEN OFF at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium. The START OF PLAY should be in sometime now.
Rain Update: It's almost time for the ALL-IMPORTANT TOSS but the situation at the ground is pretty much the same. Just a reminder, we do have a RESERVE DAY tomorrow if rain plays SPOILSPORT today.
Bad News: It's currently RAINING at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium with better half of the ground under cover. Though the rain is NOT HEAVY but it's surely STEADY. Looks like there MIGHT BE A DELAYED START to the final. We'll keep you posted on that.
Though both the teams have displayed grit and skill throughout the tournament, one would feel that Team India hold the aces over Sri Lanka in the today's final.
SPINNING A WEB
Team India has thrived on the success of their spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja. While Jadeja has performed under the shadows of the premier spinners, Ashwin and Mishra have been in scintillating form. The duo has bagged two Man of the Match awards in four out of five games for India in World T20 so far. With 10 wickets to his name, Ashwin is also India's highest wicket-taker in the tournament. On the other hand, leg-spinner Amit Mishra is not far behind Ashwin with his tally of nine wickets. The two spinners have been crucial in picking up wickets and putting a lid on the scoring rate for India. And, once again their services will benefit Dhoni brigade in tomorrow's final against Lanka.
VIRAT 'THE TORMENTOR' KOHLI
The Delhi lad has proved to be a terrific find for India over the recent years. And in the World T20 tournament, Kohli is a force to be reckoned with. The right-hander showcased his batting prowess with an unbeaten knock of 72 runs off 44 balls against Proteas to seal India's berth in Sunday's final. The swashbuckling batsman is also the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 242 runs alongside three half-centuries at an average of 121 in a mere five games. Considering Kohli's recent form in the tourney, Team India will feel a lot at ease going into the finals against Sri Lanka tomorrow.
RECENT FORM
MS Dhoni brigade has turned out to be the team to beat in the ongoing World T20 tournament. With five wins out of their five games so far, Team India have maintained their unbeaten streak efficiently. The men in blue topped Group 2 with eight points against Sri Lanka's six in Group 1, giving a slight edge to Dhoni & co in tomorrow's final. Also, India will fancy a rare feat of becoming the first team to win World T20 tournament without losing a single game.
HISTORY
The fact that Sri Lanka have not yet won the ICC World T20 title ever since it's advent in 2007, goes on to show their weakness of failing to perform under-pressure. While the Indians clinched the inaugural T20 tournament, the Lankans have finished runners-up on two occasions - 2009 and 2012. Dhoni's men also hold an edge in the head-to-head clashes with the Lankans following their three wins and two losses out of five games in World T20.
DHAKA'S FAMILIAR CONDITIONS
Team India has played all of their four group games and one semi-final at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. The team is used to the conditions that have reflected in their victories throughout the tournament. Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra have managed to extract devious spin from the familiar track and it is likely to be the case in tomorrow's final. On the other hand, Sri Lanka have only played one game - semifinal against West Indies - in Dhaka following their four group games in Chittagong.
Teams(from):
India: MS Dhoni(c/wk), Varun Aaron, Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal(c), Lasith Malinga, Chaturanga de Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Kumar Sangakkara(wk), Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne