Sport

Sri Lanka deny India to win first World Twenty20 title

Kumar Sangakkara hits 52 not out in his last Twenty20 international

Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka celebrates in the final over as MS Dhoni of India looks on during the final of the World Twenty20 against India at Sher-e-Bangla Mirpur Stadium. Photograph: Getty Images
Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka celebrates in the final over as MS Dhoni of India looks on during the final of the World Twenty20 against India at Sher-e-Bangla Mirpur Stadium. Photograph: Getty Images
Sun Apr 06 2014 - 20:13

Sri Lanka lifted their maiden World Twenty20 title following their six-wicket victory against former champions India at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

Kumar Sangakkara hit an important 52 not out in his last Twenty20 international outing to help Sri Lanka chase down the 131-run victory target with 13 balls to spare and deny India, the reigning 50-over World Cup and Champions Trophy winners, a record limited over treble. Put into bat after evening drizzle delayed the start of the all-Asian final, India posted a below-par 130 for four wickets despite Virat Kohli’s breezy 77.

Sangakkara’s crucial 35-ball knock included six boundaries and a six. Mahela Jayawardene contributed a run-a-ball 24. Earlier, India lost opener Ajinkya Rahane in the second over before Kohli added 60 runs with Rohit Sharma (29). Yuvraj Singh’s struggle to find the middle of the bat, coupled with Sri Lanka’s brilliant bowling, restricted India to a total that left little margin for error. Kohli ran himself out in the final delivery of the innings after a 58-ball knock.