A lot is at stakes for both India and Sri Lanka when the two sub-continental giants face off in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.
The world No 1 Twenty20 side, India is yet to taste defeat in the tournament and their captain MS Dhoni will be keen to maintain the streak and earn their third major medallion in as many years. India won the ODI World Cup in 2011 before they travelled to England and bagged the Champions Trophy last year.
Meanwhile for the Lankan side a win will not only end their inexplicable losing streak in the title matches, but bring something more along. It will be a perfect farewell for their two legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who will retire with the final and at the same time bring them financial benefit. The SLC has promised its players, who have been under constant troubles with the board regarding payment issues, a million dollar bonus on bringing the title home.
The islanders have spent nearly three months in Bangladesh now and have so far conquered whatever came their way – the bilateral full series against Bangladesh and the Asia Cup. They looked determined and went all-in in every match, even so that their T20 captain Dinesh Chandimal opted to sit out in the semifinal for his poor form as Lasith Malinga led the team.
Sometime they defended 119 in a do-or-die match while sometime they bowled out their opponents for the lowest T20 total – Sri Lanka has been a complete package in the event.
Sri Lanka hasn’t been the best batting unit as it was always someone different who rose on the occasion. It will be critical for India if Kusal Perera gets off at the top while Tillakaratne Dilshan has also showed glimpse of getting back the form in the semifinal against West Indies. The rest remains on the experienced shoulders of Jayawardene and Sangakkara before Angelo Mathews comes in with the late blows.
However it will be testing times once again for the bowling department led by Malinga and Rangana Herath and their biggest challenge will be the strong Indian batting lineup.
Virat Kohli has been leading the Indian charge with ample ease and remains the main man behind all success. He has flourished in the best possible way and stood up whenever India needed a savior. Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh have all chipped in around Kohli who remained calm in every situation. However, his calmess will definitely be test at yet another big stage as India, who clinched the inaugural title of the tournament in 2007, look to add another trophy to their cabinet.
The spinners have been crucial for India as the fast bowling department has been inconsistent.