Kumar Sangakkara played the knock of his life to lead Sri Lanka to a memorable World Twenty20 victory against India as they become the fifth nation to win the title. PHOTO: AFP
Kumar Sangakkara hit a memorable half-century to help Sri Lanka to a six-wicket victory over India in the World Twenty20 final in Dhaka on Sunday.
The veteran left-hander knocked a 35-ball 52 (not out) in his last T20 match and anchored the chase with six boundaries and a six in his unbeaten knock.
The victory gave Sri Lanka their first world title in 18 years since winning the World Cup (50 overs) crown in 1996 and also broke Sri Lanka’s jinx of losing the final of major world level events. The side had lost two World Cup (50 overs) finals (2007 and 2011) and were runners-up in as many World Twenty20 events in 2009 and 2012.
“It’s been a long time coming, we’ve waited five finals,” said Sangakkara, who was captain in the 2009 World Twenty20 and 2011 World Cup, but will now quit Twenty20 along with Mahela Jayawardene.
“I am pretty happy that I was able to do something for the team. It means a lot to all of us. We are very humbled by this.”
India won the inaugural edition in 2007 followed by Pakistan (2009), England (2010) and the West Indies (2012).
In contrast India were denied a chance to become the first team ever to hold three major cricketing titles at one time, after clinching the 2011 World Cup title and the Champions Trophy last year.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was full of praise for Sri Lanka.
“It was a perfect game for them,” said Dhoni. “In the middle overs our batsmen tried our best, but we couldn’t convert the good start.
“We were short of a few runs but Virat has been brilliant,” said Dhoni of Kohli, declared player of the tournament.
Earlier, after India were sent into bat in a match reduced by 40 minutes due to rain.
They were reduced to 130 for four by some tight Sri Lankan bowling despite a brilliant half-century by Kohli, whose 58-ball 77 was his eighth T20 half-century (and fourth of this tournament).
Kohli added 60 for the second wicket with Rohit Sharma (29) and another 55 for the third with Yuvraj Singh who slowed down the tempo with a snail-paced 11 off 21 balls.
Sharma hit three boundaries during his 26-ball knock before he was caught off Herath who finished with 1-23 in his four overs.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse telephoned his team in Dhaka to congratulate them for their biggest cricket win since the 1996 World Cup, his office said.
“A short while ago, the president spoke to the team and officials and congratulated them,” said an official.
Sri Lanka went into the game with the offer of a million dollar bonus if they shed their reputation as chokers in the final against India.
FACT BOX
Highest Total
South Africa (196) v England
Highest Individual Score
Alex Hales, England (116*)
Most Sixes
Stephan Myburgh, Netherlands (13)
Most Wickets
Imran Tahir, South Africa (12)
Best Bowling Figures
Rangana Herath (5-3 in 3.3 overs)
Largest Victory
West Indies (84 runs) v Pakistan
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (8)
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I really think blaming Yuvraj entirely for the debacle entirely is a little exaggerated. SL bowled really really well - India had three best big hitters standing on the crease - Dhoni,, Yuvraj and Kohli and all three failed to connect the yorkers delivered by Kulasekara and Malinga.
Though Kohli made a 56 ball 77, but even then considering the form he was in, he was slightly slower by his own standards - after all this is the guy who hit a 60 ball 100 against the Aussies.
India fought well but it was SL's day the moment they won the toss.
@Vectra Yuvi couldn't face the match pressure .except one odd inning this tourney has been a disaster for the southpaw.on his day he is a match winner for sure,who is capable of making even the best bowling attack look ordinary.however yesterday was clearly not his day.a hitherto shaky performance in this world t20 should have prompted Dhoni to promote himself,which we can now blame him for...but its always easy to be wise with an advantage of hindsight.
@Fahad, Please explain, how do you know "We all know very well how ICC rules / officials made Australia winning the 2007 world cup final. We also know very well how politics played their part in India’s winning at the 2011 world cup." This generalization of any matter dilutes your view on anything. Srilankan won yesterday since they played much better than Indians. And if you say Australian won in 2007 because of that and Srilankan lost 2011 because of that, it shows that you are not ready to accept any result which is unfavourable to your mind. It is a very conman feeling in Indian and Pakistan to be happy on each others' defeat and there is nothing wrong in that since it allows you to release your hatred. But taking away anyone's credit, no, thats not the way. So please wake up and give people what they deserve.
Sri Lanka deserved to be the winners. They lost the last two world cup finals involving politics more than sports. We all know very well how ICC rules / officials made Australia winning the 2007 world cup final. We also know very well how politics played their part in India's winning at the 2011 world cup. However the T20 finals that Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan and West Indies were true cricketing competitions. They are so deserving and daring that their captain rested for the betterment of the team and having guys like Sangakkara. Jayawardene, Dilshan and Angelo Mathews in the team, they chose Malinga as the captain and he delivers straightaway. Hats off to Sri Lankans, wishing you more victories in future!
Congrates to Sri lanka a better tribute to Sangakara and Mahela and they deserve it but also feels sorry for Indian team who does not deserve this defeat either because when the run making process is going smoothly and a guy (Yuvraj) comes and did not hit or even tried to hit the ball, simply eating away overs, not letting the batsman at the other end to bat and not making himself out and give chance to others in dressing room to come and bat either then in such case no matter how powerful a team may be it will end up in a loosing side.This is seen from the frustration of Virat Kohli who constantly seen hitting his bat to his pad, MS and Rohit Sharma and Raina are seen to be surprised the way Yuvraj batted.I seriously don’t know what happened to Yuvraj but this single guy let his entire team down in this series at least. But Cricket is Cricket and Lanka deserve the win and as for Yuvraj he as an individual will have to go for evaluation by BCCI wheather to get selected for any future tournament or not or given some rest before coming back to team.