Sri Lanka won their first major trophy (after 1996) when they defeated 2007 T20 champions, India to lift the 2014 T20 World Cup. India, who were undefeated coming into the final, finally lost their handbrakes as the…
Sri Lanka won their first major trophy (after 1996) when they defeated 2007 T20 champions, India to lift the 2014 T20 World Cup. India, who were undefeated coming into the final, finally lost their handbrakes as the Lankan Lions gave a perfect ‘send off’ to their retiring legends – Mahela Jayawardene and Kumara Sangakkara. With the World Cup finally over, we round off the heroes and zeroes for Team India:
Heroes
Virat Kohli
319 runs in 6 matches at a strike rate of 129.14 – Virat Kohli’s statistics make a menacing reading. The Delhi-born was at his belligerent best throughout the tourney and walked away with the Man of the Tournament award, which he deserved. The only batsman who made merry with the bat, Virat Kohli would be rather disappointed that he could win the T20 World Cup.
Suresh Raina
He might be out of the 50-over format of the game but southpaw Suresh Raina did prove a point to the selectors. Even though he marginally appeared on the batting front, Raina was sharper, quicker and calm on the field. With the England tour on the horizon, Suresh Raina’s selection seems immaculate as ever.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Prior coming to the T20 World Cup, Ravichandran Ashwin was criticised for his bowling especially performances overseas where Team India lost back to back tours to South Africa and New Zealand. But, Ashwin was changed man in this World Cup as he plucked away 11 wickets with an economy rate of 5.35. He was by far the best bowler in the Indian bowling contingent.
Amit Mishra
Another gem for India in this tournament, Delhi spinner Amit Mishra gave proof onto why he deserves more time on the cricketing field after a dazzling performance in the T20 World Cup. Though he faded away in the semis and the Final, the 10 wickets in the tournament are a proof to his credentials as a leggie.
Zeroes
Yuvraj Singh
One must remember that the failure to lift the World Cup was a collective downfall and Yuvraj Singh alone cannot be blamed for it. Even though the southpaw scored a handy 60 against the Aussies in the Group Stage, Yuvraj Singh looked a pale shadow of himself that blazed 6 sixes in an over of Stuart Broad.
Shikhar Dhawan
Who could have thought that Shikhar Dhawan could be sitting out of the Final of the T20 World Cup? None. His faltering form was the reason behind the axe and with only a single fifty (against Afghanistan), only time will tell whether Dhawan retains the Indian cap.
Mohammed Shami
2 wickets and tad expensive, that’s what Mohammed Shami was accused of in the T20 World Cup. He was eventually dropped after the Bangladesh game as MS Dhoni opted for Mohit Sharma in the latter stages. Shami needs to find his lengths right or find himself waiting in the hinges.
With the T20 World Cup finally out of India’s grasps, MS Dhoni will now look on the ‘controversial’ Indian Premier League season to salvage some pride.
