Thought it was going to be a repeat of 2016 in Kolkata, says Ben Stokes after Carlos Brathwaite’s masterclass

The memories of Carlos Brathwaite destroying Ben Stokes in the final of the 2016 World T20 came rushing as the former almost took West Indies over the line in a nail-biting contest in Manchester. The West Indies all-rounder smashed 101 runs from 82 balls but his side fell just five runs short of New Zealand’s 291 in yet another epic clash in the ongoing tournament. He came to the crease when West Indies were reeling at 142 for 4 before blasting the ton to turn the game on its head.

The game started on a superb note for West Indies as Sheldon Cottrell dismissed Colin Munro and Martin Guptill for ducks in the very first over. However, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor stopped the rot and batted their team out of trouble. Williamson proved to be the difference again as he played a sublime knock of 148 to power his team to a big total. He shared a decisive partnership of 160 with Taylor who scored 69. The Black Caps blasted 92 runs from the final ten over to post a competitive total.

In reply, West Indies lost Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran cheaply before Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer took charge of the chase. Lockie Ferguson dismissed Hetmyer to end the 120-run stand and opened the floodgates. West Indies lost five wickets for 22 runs in just 4.4 overs to find themselves reeling at 166 for 7. But just when it seemed the match is over, Brathwaite decided to test New Zealand’s resolve.

He added 47 runs with Kemar Roach for the eighth wicket. The equation finally came down to 33 from the last 18 balls and Brathwaite hit Matt Henry for 25 runs in the 48th over to take West Indies agonizingly close to the win. With 8 needed from 2 overs, he brought his century with a double. He then went for another big shot but Trent Boult caught it near the ropes to break Brathwaite’s hearts.

Ben Stokes gets nostalgic

Ben Stokes is well aware of the feeling that Brathwaite went through against New Zealand. In the final of the 2016 World T20, Brathwaite had hit him for four consecutive sixes in the final over to seal the title for his side. And Stokes could not help but remember that epic game as he tweeted, “First it was Virat now it’s @TridentSportsX is clogging up my mentions,I wonder why???that was a unbelievable innings Carlos thought it was going to be a repeat of 2016 in Kolkata…how good was that game by the way”