Flashback: What went wrong for Team India in 2014 T20 World Cup final?

Team India’s quest for T20 World Cup glory came to a disappointing end in 2014 when they faced Sri Lanka in the final at Dhaka, Bangladesh. Despite being the favorites, India faltered in the crucial match, raising the question: What went wrong for India in the 2014 T20 World Cup final?

Batting first, India managed to score just 130/4 in their 20 overs. Virat Kohli was the standout performer, scoring 77 off 58 balls, while Rohit Sharma contributed 29 off 26. However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to support Kohli. Yuvraj Singh’s slow-paced innings of 11 runs off 21 balls was particularly detrimental. His inability to rotate the strike and find the boundary drained momentum from the innings, leaving Kohli stranded at the non-striker’s end during the crucial final overs.

Sri Lanka's bowlers executed their plans perfectly, keeping the Indian batters in check and preventing them from accelerating. Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara’s disciplined bowling ensured that India couldn’t set a challenging target.

During the chase, Sri Lanka started cautiously, losing their openers Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan early. However, the experienced Kumar Sangakkara anchored the innings with an unbeaten 52 off 35 balls. His composed knock, combined with contributions from Mahela Jayawardene and Thisara Perera, guided Sri Lanka to a comfortable six-wicket victory with 13 balls to spare.

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India’s inability to post a competitive total, combined with Sri Lanka’s efficient chase, sealed their fate in the final. The sluggish batting approach, especially in the middle overs cost India dearly. Yuvraj Singh’s struggle for runs was a significant factor, and despite Kohli’s valiant effort, India fell short.

Reflecting on the match, it’s clear that India’s batting strategy and lack of support for the in-form Kohli were critical issues. The 2014 final remains a poignant reminder of how crucial it is for the entire team to perform in high-stakes matches. As India prepare for the final of 2024, the lessons from the 2014 T20 World Cup final will undoubtedly serve as a valuable reference.