Sri Lanka breaks their Jinx

After years of faltering at the last hurdle, Sangakkara helps the Lankans finally cross the finish line.

The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see. ; Image Source: Indian Express

Heightened emotions making desperate fans run to the most bizarre superstitions- a phenomenon observed all across South Asia when it comes to cricket. Be it master blaster Sachin’s habit of wearing the left pad first or families sitting in assigned seats as a goodluck charm, whatever sails the boats, fans and players are willing to do it.

In 2013, Sri Lanka managed to break a spell that seemed to put an unconquerable mountain on its way to a final victory. The evil eye that pulled off the unbelievable was Kumar Sangakkara, and to his aid came Mahela Jayawardene.

The grand showdown for the t-20 World Cup between Sri Lanka and India took place on April 6, 2014. The final match meant a lot for both the sides, but the stakes were high especially for the Lankans, as this was the last international T20 match for their star players, Mahela and Sangakkara. The team had to win this one for them and they had to give the best parting gift to the team. While the aspirations were noble, a huge challenge stood in front of them- goliath team India. From the format-perfect run machine Yuvraj to the emerging super talent Virat Kohli, victory over this team was certainly not an easy task and history stood as a testament to it.

Well, all records are meant to be broken, and history too, turns its tide for those who dare. The Sri Lankan team put their best foot forward and bagged the title as a fitting farewell to their greats.

Dhoni’s brigade decided to bat first, and the match began with some shaky tunes as Rohit and Rahane were bowled out quite early on. Things started to look better when Kohli remained strong footed on the pitch even though Yuvraj Singh got dismissed. Virat managed to remain not out with a towering score of 77, and this was only a sign of the times to come. The phenomenal bowling in the death overs by Malinga and Kulasekara stopped the Indian team at a small score of 130. By this time, the winds of change had set in and Sri Lankans were ready to break the jinx.

The Sri Lankan batting began and it almost felt as if the same script was being repeated. Two batsmen- Perera and Dilshan—were sent back to the pavilion by Jadeja and Ashvin. The picture only began to change when Kumar Sangakkara came to the pitch. With just enough speed and strength, this Sri Lankan legend managed to stack up a score of 52 runs and remained not out till the end of 20 overs. At just the right moment came Mahela Jayawardene, and together they added the winning 66 to the scoreboard. What was meant to be their last match became their most glorious one! The unbowed, unbent and unconquerable squad of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had never lost a world final, stood in defeat.

With a dreamy and poetic end, Sri Lanka lifted the trophy that it had been yearning for, announcing a fitting adieu to its cricketers, loved by fans all over the world.