OTD in 2014: Sri Lanka win the T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka won the 2014 T20 World Cup on April 6 after beating India by six wickets in the summit clash at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Between 2007 and 2012, Sri Lanka managed to reach the ODI World Cup final and the T20 World Cup final on two occasions each. However, they finished second best in all the four matches. 

Finalists in the 2009 and 2012 T20 World Cups, Sri Lanka, were placed in Group 1 alongside South Africa, New Zealand, England, and the Netherlands. The Lasith Malinga-led side started with a thrilling five-run win against South Africa in Chattogram. In their next encounter, the Lankan Lions bowled out the Netherlands for 39 before chasing the paltry target in five overs.

Sri Lanka suffered their only defeat in the campaign against England as the Three Lions chased down a 190-run target on the back of Alex Hales' spectacular century. Sri Lanka's last league match was against the Kiwis. After being bowled out for 119 in the must-win clash, Sri Lankan fans must have been very nervous but a brilliant bowling performance from Rangana Herath, who finished with mind-boggling figures of 5/3 in 3.3 overs, helped the Asian giants bowl out the Blackcaps for just 60 and progress to the semifinals.

The semifinals was a repeat of the 2012 final as Sri Lanka faced defending champions West Indies in Dhaka. In a rain-marred contest, Malinga's men mustered 160/6 in their 20 overs. West Indies were placed at 80/4 in 13.5 overs when rain stopped play and eventually, the Asian side won by 27 runs (via DLS method).

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The all-important final

The 2014 T20 World Cup final against India was a chance for the Lankan Lions to exact revenge on the Men in Blue, who defeated them in the summit clash to win the 2011 ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first on a tacky surface.

India lost Ajinkya Rahane in the second over before Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stitched a sedate 60-run partnership off 54 balls. Yuvraj Singh came out to bat at No. 4 after Rohit departed for a 26-ball 29. The southpaw struggled to hit the gaps and played an uncharacteristically scratchy 11-run knock off 21 balls. Kohli was firing on all cylinders at the other end and it seemed that the two battters were batting on different surfaces. After Yuvraj was dismissed in the 19th over, MS Dhoni faced seven balls but could only score four runs. Kohli was run out off the last ball after playing an excellent knock of 77 off 58 balls as India finished on 130/4. The Sri Lankan bowlers stuck to their plans and made life very difficult for the Indian batters.

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In reply, India managed to pick up the wickets of Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan inside the powerplay. Mahela Jayawardene and Lahiru Thirimanne were also dismissed after getting starts. However, Kumar Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 52 off 35 balls to take his team home with six wickets and 13 balls to spare. Finally, the Sri Lankan fans got the chance to celebrate a win in an ICC final after years of exasperation.

The legendary duo of Jayawardene and Sangakkara retired from T20I cricket after the victory in the final. They received a fitting farewell as their teammates carried them on their shoulders after collecting the coveted trophy.