The dream of lifting the World T20 trophy on home soil turned into a bitter disappointment for India as they fell short in a thrilling semi-final clash against West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Despite posting their highest-ever total in a T20 World Cup semi-final (192/2), India’s potent batting lineup was eclipsed by the sheer power-hitting brilliance of the West Indies batsmen, who chased down the target with two balls to spare.
Virat Kohli, in the form of his life, played a mesmerizing knock of 89* runs off just 47 balls, showcasing his ability to thrive in the T20 format. His innings, a blend of calculated strokeplay and audacious hitting, came after India lost opener Rohit Sharma (43). Kohli stitched together a crucial 66-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (40), who played a vital anchoring role. The duo prioritized running between the wickets, a stark contrast to the West Indies’ boundary-heavy approach. Even after Rahane’s departure, Kohli continued his batting masterclass, finding the gaps with elegance and punishing loose deliveries with power.
Lendl Simmons smashed an unbeaten 82* off 51 balls in the 2016 semi-final
However, India’s bowling attack, despite containing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin, failed to make significant inroads into the West Indies batting order. A controversial moment came early in the chase when Lendl Simmons, the key West Indies batsman, was reprieved twice due to no-balls from Ashwin and Hardik Pandya. These reprieves proved pivotal, as Simmons went on to score an unbeaten 82* runs off 51 balls, anchoring the West Indies chase.
Johnson Charles (52) provided valuable support at the other end, before being dismissed by Kohli himself.
The turning point arrived in the 18th over, when India needed a wicket desperately. Bumrah bowled a superb spell, conceding just three runs in three deliveries, but Simmons broke the shackles with a six over the leg side. The ball, initially judged out by the umpire, was eventually ruled a six as replays showed a slight touch from Ravindra Jadeja’s boot on the boundary rope. This six swung the momentum decisively in favor of the West Indies.
Andre Russell, known for his explosive batting, then arrived at the crease and wasted no time. His six off the fourth ball he faced set the tone for his cameo, and his late flurry of boundaries sealed the victory for the West Indies.
India were off the boil in the 2016 semi-final against Windies
The defeat left a sour taste in the mouth of Indian fans, who had witnessed a monumental batting performance from Kohli go in vain. While questions arose regarding India’s bowling attack and their conservative approach in the middle overs, the credit must be given to the West Indies batsmen for their relentless pursuit of the target. Their belief in their power-hitting strategy, coupled with a bit of luck with the no-balls, proved enough to dismantle India’s hopes.
This match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. Individual brilliance can be overshadowed by collective team performances, and sometimes, a single over or a single decision can change the course of the game. While India will undoubtedly learn from this setback, the West Indies marched on, eventually clinching the World T20 title, solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the shortest format of the game.
