FunkyGen
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Cricket T20: Sri Lanka win the World Twenty20 final – as it happened | John Ashdown | Sport | theguardian.com
It's time. No, not Vader Time. But, after 34 matches, time to find out the identity of the best T20 side in the world. Yes, yes, it's probably India. But hold your horses. This Sri Lanka side have been in a state of evolution throughout the tournament and might have finally stumbled upon the right combination of huge hitting and crafty spin just in time for the final.
The problem, other than the powerhouse they're playing against, is their track record of failure in world finals. The 2007 World Cup final? Lost. The 2009 World T20 final? Lost. The 2011 World Cup final? Lost. The 2012 World T20 final? Lost. Indeed the Sri Lankans have not been successful in a showpiece occasion since the 1996 World Cup, Aravinda Da Silva and all that.
India, meanwhile, are on for the grand slam. They're reigning 50-over world champions and reigning Champions Trophy holders. This is for a clean sweep. And given the way MS Dhoni's side have played thus far in the tournament, you wouldn't bet against them …
Road to the final
India won four out of four in their group, Sri Lanka three from four, with the solitary defeat coming, weirdly, at the hands of England. Sri Lanka, having ditched their squad captain Dinesh Chandimal, Duckworth-Lewised their way past West Indies in the semi-final, while Virat Kohli was in majestic form as India chased down a daunting 172 to beat South Africa with five balls to spare.
It's time. No, not Vader Time. But, after 34 matches, time to find out the identity of the best T20 side in the world. Yes, yes, it's probably India. But hold your horses. This Sri Lanka side have been in a state of evolution throughout the tournament and might have finally stumbled upon the right combination of huge hitting and crafty spin just in time for the final.
The problem, other than the powerhouse they're playing against, is their track record of failure in world finals. The 2007 World Cup final? Lost. The 2009 World T20 final? Lost. The 2011 World Cup final? Lost. The 2012 World T20 final? Lost. Indeed the Sri Lankans have not been successful in a showpiece occasion since the 1996 World Cup, Aravinda Da Silva and all that.
India, meanwhile, are on for the grand slam. They're reigning 50-over world champions and reigning Champions Trophy holders. This is for a clean sweep. And given the way MS Dhoni's side have played thus far in the tournament, you wouldn't bet against them …
Road to the final
India won four out of four in their group, Sri Lanka three from four, with the solitary defeat coming, weirdly, at the hands of England. Sri Lanka, having ditched their squad captain Dinesh Chandimal, Duckworth-Lewised their way past West Indies in the semi-final, while Virat Kohli was in majestic form as India chased down a daunting 172 to beat South Africa with five balls to spare.
on Crushing 
