India have been unbeaten within the tournament and have been the favourites to win their 2nd T20 World Cup title as they took on Sri Lanka in 2014 in Dhaka on April 6.
History of the day: MS Dhoni’s men fall short of 2nd T20 World Cup title
India opened their T20 World Cup 2014 campaign with a win in opposition to Pakistan and steamrolled the likes of Bangladesh, Australia and West Indies en-route to the knockout stages.
Earlier, India chased down 173 runs with ease in opposition to South Africa in the semi-final courtesy to a smashing knock of 72 (44 balls) from Virat Kohli who was slowly beginning to play big-impact innings constantly for India.
In the final match, Lasith Malinga won the toss and invited India to bat on a slow Dhaka wicket. India did not start nicely as the opener Ajinkya Rahane got out on three from eight balls. Though Rohit Sharma got a nice start, however, failed to convert it into big as he was dismissed by Rangana Herath for 29. Virat Kohli made 77 from just 58 balls, hitting 5 boundaries and 4 sixes.
Yuvraj managed only 11 from 21 balls putting quite a lot of pressure on Virat Kohli before he lost his wicket in the 19th over. Kohli was then joined by MS Dhoni who managed just 4 runs from 7 balls as India finished with 130 on the board.
On the other hand, Kumar Sangakkara scored a classy fifty while a cameo from Thisara Perera lead the Sri Lankan team to chase down the total in just 17.5 overs. It was a perfect farewell for Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene as the two Sri Lanka legends retired from T20I cricket with the big title.
The other historic event that took place on this day was when Australia clinched the third T20 World cup title. The Australian women team won their 3rd straight T20 World Cup title on April 6, 2014 in Dhaka.
The women’s final between England and Australia was played hours before the men’s final in Dhaka. Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to field. Australian women restricted England to just 105 for 8 in 20 overs courtesy to Ellyse Perry, Sarah Coyte and Rene Farrell.
While coming to bat on the field, captain Lanning and Ellyse Perry combined to get to the target in just 15.1 overs and help Australia script history by winning their 3rd successive T20 World Cup title after victories in Colombo in 2012 and Bridgetown in 2010.
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