Planet "M"

In the meantime, not only the T20 format is widely acknowledged by the masses, but also the induction of innovative technology garnered pretty eyeballs. Those LED stumps, Spider Cams, Cheerleaders, etc. have ensured wide possibilities in the future of T20 cricket itself! Leave alone its collective impact on Tests and One-dayers for a while.

Right from the start – back in the year 2007 – in South Africa to the Bangladesh in 2014, there have been a lot of moments for cricketing minds to cherish for long. Be it Yuvraj Singh’s 6-sixes in an over or that final over by Joginder Sharma in the 2007 T20 WC, Pakistan’s characteristic victory against Sri Lanka in the 2009 Finals, England’s historic trophy celebrations in the following year v Australia, or the West Indies’ calypso rhyme in the year 2012: one can find his/her own favorite to relate with.

Review: Five best moments of the ICC World T20 Bangladesh 2014

While this edition’s World Cup promised to be the most thrilling one, let’s rewind some of the memorable moments of the 2014 ICC World T20:

Stuart Broad was unhappy with the umpires with lightning in the area

Losing a rain-marred match in T20 cricket is more frustrating than warming the bench due to injury while being at the peak of your career.

Ask Stuart Broad and he would describe as being deceived, but to no extent. On the other hand, Kiwis were seen as happy as they have been from a while now.

After sensing the possibility of rain due to huge crack of lightening, Brendon McCullum hit those important but unfair sixes which obviously gave them a go-ahead in a fairly poised match. In some way, the match set the tone for both sides with New Zealand as a more competent side to watch out for compared to the less-confident English side.

Dale Steyn effects the winning run-out

Talk about 7 runs in the last over may seem easy, but then how about balancing the equation with Dale Steyn as the opposition bowler while New Zealand at the receiving end?

The same happened during a group match in Chittagong where South Africa not only managed to win the match by just 2 runs, but also kept their chances to remain alive in the tournament.

Chasing a modest total of 171, the way New Zealand lost the match is rather more disheartening. Their in-form batsman Ross Taylor was on-strike till the last ball, yet Steyn made sure “it will not be a cakewalk either”!

And rest one could assume the consequences followed. Ross Taylor was made run-out by the bowler himself and oh! How pretty that celebration was to watch for. Steyn’s no-one-is-allowed-to-score approach in the final overs executed well, once again. Thus, complemented the quality of bowling he possesses.

James Faulkner reacts after Darren Sammy finishes the match with a six

“Either walk the talk, or just don’t talk at all!”

Darren Sammy’ heroics off James Faulkner probably muttered the same. The two back-to-back sixes certainly echoed much of the ‘talk’ back right into the face of babbling Australian all-rounder.

Later, pictures confirmed the intensity of the match with the way Chris Gayle danced; Sammy rejoiced the Windies win followed by Dwayne Bravo’ presser, said: “Respect game and fellow cricketers”.

Just like putting mirrors in front of an ugly face won’t change its fate anyway. Apparently, the boomerang returned with severe injuries; resulted in opening the send-off doors for the Australians. Lost an almost in-controlled match due to poor bowling, Australian team was left bamboozled the way opposition finished it.

Rangana Herath had figures of 5 for 3

If there would be a list of best T20 matches played ever, this one will surely break into the top-5.

Before the match, both Sri Lanka and New Zealand had the equal opportunity to make the cut for SFs. While at the end, Sri Lanka stepped up confidently in a one-sided match: thanks to the phenomenal bowling by Rangana Herath, who took 5 wickets in 3.3 overs with two-maidens and conceded just three-runs.

New Zealand, earlier, did bowl neatly and set the target to 120 on board for themselves. For which only Kane Williamson stood strong as a lone fighter among all his teammates. He was not supported well and left alone in the middle to watch the other end fails as wickets fell continuously at regular intervals.

Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka hits the ball past MS Dhoni of India

When India entered in the finale as the favorites to win for, Malinga & Co. then had other plans for their Asian counterparts.

Restricted India to 130/4 after winning the toss – the final over by the Lankan captain redefined the definition of slog-overs in a big match like this.

In reply, India did manage to get an early breakthrough but it was probably not their day.

Kumar Sangakkara, who remained off-colour for most of the tournament, then, found it the best opportunity to get some runs underneath him. And in such a way he scored a flashy half-century that comfortably drove Sri Lanka for a much awaited luxurious victory!

Although both teams have topped the charts from their respective groups, it’s reasonably fair to say Sri Lanka had the rather easy group to step out: defeating South Africa and New Zealand in the Group matches after batting first, restricting Netherlands to 39 was not an apt surprise.

On the other hand, Indians very tactically advanced their Group challenge: took it one-at-a-time, did the homework acutely well and successfully muted key opposition players, like Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle, Shakib Al Hasan and Shane Watson respectively!

Jayawardene and Sangakkara poses for a selfie

Sri Lanka who qualified into its third straight ICC World Cup final, have the best opportunity to bring laurels home as their two legendary batsman Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sanagakkara would appear one-last time in front of international T20 audience to call it a day! The firm character Lankans have shown throughout the tournament made it pretty obvious to pick them up as one of the best. However, their Indian counterparts stand quite ahead of them comparatively!

On paper both teams look equally balanced, though, share a mutual problem in the opening-slot.

Sri Lankan top order’s consistent failure in every match with two wickets down in first 6 overs while batting first, the struggle of Sangakkara in the middle order is yet to end. Nevertheless, the composure of Ajinkya Rahane in the Indian top order is vastly complementing.

With likes of Tilakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera coupled with Lasith Malinga, Rangan Herath and Ajantha Mendis in the bowling department, presence of Jayawardene and Sangakkara in the middle order define volumes in the Lankan line-up!

On contrary, Indians, too, have phenomenal performers in Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin who have successfully gone through the litmus test of under pressure.

Yuvraj and Kohli poses for a selfie

When it comes to the middle – order, India, again, hold a smooth edge. There is, of course, a lot of Virat Kohli as compared to Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka. But Yuvraj looks distinctively better with the bat than off-color Kumar Sangakkara!

Apparently the bowling department is a major difference between these two sides where Sri Lanka will definitely like to bank on high, given the ability of Lasith Malinga in slog overs; the only concerned area for Indian skipper MS Dhoni since no one is restraining well there.

All in all, it would be really interesting to see how Sri Lanka would cope with the Finals’ challenge this time – their 2nd against India after the 2011 Cricket World Cup final in Mumbai and 3rd overall in World T20.

Considering the momentum and form factor, Indians are favorites to win for. Whereas Sri Lanka need to do something really special to utilize all the resources right that are not gelled enough well.

Another thing that could boost India’s chances is playing conditions and familiarity with the ground as they have played all their matches in Dhaka whilst Sri Lanka made a shift from Chittagong for the knockouts. But this factor seemed to have minimal effect, since it will be a final encounter and match pressure would play a pivotal role in determining a champion. And the one who holds the nerves better will get more chances to celebrate at the end!