What Happened When India Last Played A T20 World Cup Final?

Sangakkara emerged as SL's hero in the 2014 final. (X)Sangakkara emerged as SL's hero in the 2014 final. (X)

Team India has reached another ICC world tournament final. After defeating the defending champions, England, in the semifinal in Guyana on June 27, India will face South Africa in the T20 World Cup Final in Barbados on June 29. This marks their third final appearance in T20 World Cups and their third in ICC events in the last 12 months. Last year, India played two finals and lost both, with both defeats coming against Australia.

It has been over a decade since India won a major ICC trophy, and once again, they find themselves close to claiming the title. In Barbados, India will compete in their 13th ICC tournament final when they face South Africa on June 29, 2024. 

This will be India’s third T20 World Cup final. The first was in 2007, where India famously beat Pakistan to win the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup. The last time they played in a T20 World Cup final was in 2014, against Sri Lanka in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

With India set to play South Africa in this crucial final, let’s revisit the last T20 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka in 2014.

2014 T20WC Final: IND vs SL

On the slow, low wickets of Bangladesh, India dominated all the teams, with their spinners working wonders throughout the tournament. They faced Sri Lanka in what was seen as a rematch of the 2011 World Cup final.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to field. India lost Ajinkya Rahane early, but Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stabilised the innings. However, when Rohit was dismissed for 29, Yuvraj Singh came in and struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just 11 runs off 21 balls.

Yuvraj's turtle-paced knock drained the momentum from India's innings, leaving Kohli stranded at the non-striker’s end for much of the final overs. India managed to post only 130 runs in their allotted 20 overs.

During Sri Lanka’s chase, India quickly dismissed openers Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan. However, Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara’s composed half-century (52*) steered his team to victory. 

His unbeaten 52 off 35 balls was a masterclass in handling pressure and effective stroke play. Sangakkara’s calm and assured innings led Sri Lanka to their first T20 World Cup title, winning with six wickets in hand and 13 balls to spare.