It’s been a year, when on April 3rd,2015, the cricket zealots all over the world have glued themselves in front of television to witness the greatest cricket encounter of the year between the two big nations; the one who were the inventor of this game, England and the other who can change the scenario of the game at any stage i.e. West Indies. Yes! ICC Wt-20 final. The stage was set at Kolkata’s Eden Garden, India. The stadium was jam packed with 90,000 viewers viewing live at the ground. Both the teams have already earned the title. England back in 2010 and West indies won the t20 world cup in 2012. Both the teams after winning a thrilling semi-final stormed into the finals. England death bowling in the last 5 overs advantage them in the semi-final against New Zealand and they win it by 7 wickets. However, Windies in the 2nd semi-final against India proved to be a game changer. Kohli’s 89 runs helped India to put up a massive total of 192 runs. Lendl Simmons who was playing his first game of the tournament along with Johnson Charles helped West Indies with a 97-run stand for the third wicket and won the match by 7 wickets.
It was West Indies against whom England have lost their only group match. It was not possible without Chris Gayle. Gayle becomes the first player to record 2 world T20 hundreds. His hundred came off just 47 balls which was the fastest in the history of World T20. He also passes Brendon McCullum's 91 sixes, for most number sixes hit by a player in T20Is. Windies were little more favourite as their Women Cricket team have beaten Australia in women’s final of the ICC Wt-20 2016. Moreover, West Indian caption Darren Sammy won the toss consecutively times and decided to field first. England’s caption Eoin Morgon also showed willingness to bowl first if he had won the toss. Both the teams remained unchanged and continue to play with the same winning squad as in the semis. Eden Gardens wasn’t a high-scoring venue. 150 is the par total in the five T20Is played at the venue.
Inform Jason Roy and dangerous Alex Hales started the innings but were soon departed by Badree and Russell. Skipper Eoin Morgon didn’t played well and just made 5 runs. Tension was all over havocking in the English dug out as they were 23-3 in just 4.4 overs. But then rising talent Joe Root and wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler put up a partnership of precious 61 runs which give the innings some impetus. Jos Butler made 36 off 22 balls which includes 3 sixes and 1 four. Joe Root showed his class and continue to hit hard, he smashed 54 off 36 balls. His innings included 7 fours at a strike rate of 150.He also becomes the England’s highest run getter in a single edition of a world cup. Root was dismissed when he was playing good, on Brathwaite’s ball he hit but ball was gently gone to Benn at short fine leg. It was then David Willey who smashed two sixes and England managed to put a total of 155-9 in the 20 overs.
England too showed a good start in the 2nd innings. Joe Root managed to dismiss Charles and Chris Gayle in the second over. It was a worst start for the 2012 champions. Lendle Simmons was LBW by David Willey. It was then Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo who took the charge. The required run rate was touching close to 11, the pressure was building upon West Indies as soon Bravo, Russell and Sammy departed. But then what happened no one had ever thought. The game was completely changed. Although Samuels and tail ender Carlos Brathwaite was making runs but it was Chris Jordon who does the work for Eoin Morgon. Chris Jordan helped England push the equation to 19 runs off the last over. This has been a dramatic final. Happy faces can be seen in England’s dug out. England was just 19 runs away from winning their 2nd world cup title. Eoin Morgon gave the ball to experienced Ben Stokes who in the previous games proved to be a match winner but it seems luck was with the men in red. Carlos Brathwaite broke the hearts of England fans all over the world as he smashed the match for West Indies with four sixes off the first four deliveries of the last over of the final match and become the champions once again. Crying faces, tears and disappointment was all seen in the English camps whereas, opposite was happening in the Windies camp. They celebrated in their unique style. It was a huge moment as Darren Sammy lifted the trophy for the 2nd time.
It’s been a year now. The champions are still champions but their performance doesn’t reflect it. After the world cup their performance hasn’t been must good. Last night in the 4th and last t20 match against Pakistan they just managed to make 124/8 in 20 overs and losing the series by 3-1. By this they have moved to no 6 in the ICC ranking. Cricket is very unpredictable what happens the next no one knows. But the memories it gives is priceless and also remains in the memories of a cricket fan forever.