KOLKATA, Apr 1: India’s defeat in the semis in Mumbai proved that no host country ever claims the trophy since the ICC World Twenty20 was introduced in 2007 and despite the fact that Eden Gardens still promises a full house when England and West Indies involve in the summit clash on Sunday.
The million dollars question is now among the city fans which country would take pride to hold the coveted trophy twice for the first time. Winners of the 2010-edition in Bridgetown, West Indies, England entered the final after demolishing New Zealand at Kotla on Wednesday, and on the following day in Mumbai champions of 2012 West Indies ended India quest to be in the final for third time.
Pre-tournament favourite India, winners of first edition of 2007 in South Africa, were beaten by seven wickets despite Virat Kohli heroic unbeaten 47-ball 89.
Prior to the play at Wankhede Stadium everyone was in the opinion that West Indies-India match will be restricted to the geniousity of Chris Gayle and Kohli, both in good form.
However, the opinion makers forgot that the cricket is most unpredictable and team game where individual plays their part as specialist.
One thing is assured at the Eden final that play would be a no hold barred as both England and West Indies have plenty of smashers from top to bottom batting order.
Eoin Morgan side arrived here for World T20 final for the first time since their 2010 triumph in the Caribbean. England ousted Black Caps in the first semi-final where Jason Roy’s maiden 50 in International T20 steered English into the summit clash after a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand.
England batsman Roy smashed 78 off 44 balls before Jos Butler and Joe Root guided the side to reach their target with 17 balls to spare. New Zealand had earlier set England 154 to win.
Darren Sammy led West Indies won the second semi-final in a thrilling with two-ball remaining to set a final clash with the English side. Star batsmen Lendl Simmons smashed an unbeaten 83 alongside Johnson Charles’s 52 as a spirited West Indian side chased down a challenging total to outclass India by seven wickets in the second semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium. Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 192/2 in 20 overs, thanks to Virat Kohli’s 89. In reply, a brave Windies side chased down the total posting 196/3 in 19.4 overs, thanks to Simmons’ 51-ball 83 and Charles’ 36-ball 52. West Indies, winner of 50-over World Cup in 1975 and 1979, now factually ruled the shortest version of cricket have chance to win triple crowns. Their under-19 side is world champions at Dhaka, and women side moved into the final for the first time and set up title clash against three time winners Australia. West Indies and Australia women side will take on at Eden before the men’s final on Sunday. A local fan says they are expecting full house of over 60,000 spectators at Eden on Sunday. Before India-West Indies play in MumbaI, the fans here anticipating win for the hosts ran form pillar to post to have a ticket for Sunday final. (AGENCIES)
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